Blue Ribbon Baking Championship (Now streaming)
The vibe: Take it easy and eat something greasy
Wavering between the low-stakes stress of the Great British Bake Off and the carefree chaos of Nailed It!, BRBC follows a less rigorous and wackier competition format that doesn't take itself too seriously. Sure, you'll still see a hyper-ambitious contestant or two shed a few tears, but the show's flexible rule system allows contestants to help each other out (quite literally at times), rather than stand idly by as their new friend has a bread-fueled breakdown. Later on, that same rule system enables the judges to play with tropes from other Netflix cooking shows.
Where to watch: Netflix
Read this after: How the Oregonian Pronto Pup Became a Midwestern Legend
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (Now streaming, new episodes weekly)
The vibe: Family-friendly animated comedy with deft design work in spades
If Disney's Hercules spoke to you, this fictional epic of a mortality-stricken immortal's reconnection to her godly powers and purpose will resonate too. Sure, it may not have the crooning of the Muses to compel you, but the titular character's charisma will rapidly do the trick. In essence, Sakuna, the goddess of harvests, is forced to live in the mortal realm after her general disregard for her deified station leads to some heavenly messes. The trial that ensues spurs a heartwarming tale about finding courage and community in the face of conflict — and never taking another grain of rice for granted. We'll take this anime approach to explanations of rice farming any day.
Where to watch: Netflix
Play the game: Steam
Make this after: This Cocoa Mochi Recipe from Koda Farms Has Only Three Ingredients
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (Now streaming)
The vibe: TGIT, red wine, and melodrama
Although a bit consumed by its own melodrama, the movie aptly draws from the book that inspired it to create a Dream Girls-esque world that explores the lives of the women behind the superstars on stage, as well as the restaurant that saw their friendship stand the test of time.
Where to watch: Hulu
Read this after: The Lasting Legacy of B.B. Beamon and His Auburn Avenue Restaurant
Bartender: Glass of God (Now streaming)
The vibe: In good spirits
Although the translation is a bit underwhelming, this anime, a glossy, well-animated remake of the original '90s series, is a fun walk through speakeasy cocktail menus and the foundational elixirs that have become worldwide staples. It's a carefree but still interesting watch that sneaks cocktail lore and history into 20-ish-minute episodes that go down easy.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Read this after: The Best Tequilas for Every Kind of Drinker
Gastronaughts (Premieres: October 11)
The vibe: Ugly laughing at dishes unlikely to be ugly-delicious
Space, the improv-comedian-filled final frontier: Independent streaming platform Dropout brings us a comedy cooking competition that actually lets contestants and judges alike be part of the joke, rather than its butt. Although the actual extent to which this series includes scientifically accurate baking is negligible, that's not the point here. Instead of pretending that home bakers can imitate professionals, Gastronaughts doesn't pretend to have any piety for actual baking. For me, that's a relief. Anyone can bake or cook decently enough; few can make you snort using a mashed potato landscape for a dinosaur chicken nugget dinner.
Where to watch: Dropout
Read this after: The Best Chicken Nugget Shapes, According to Kids
