Satellite TV has moved from being home to few basic networks and into hundreds of network channels. An increasingly thematic channel is one dedicated to all things culinary.

This normally involves a highly qualified chef with several cooking titles under his belt showing millions of viewers the intricacies involved in creating a certain meal. The chef’s area of specialty will normally involve a cultural element such as French or Italian, or alternatively will be dedicated to a class of foods, such as vegetarian.

These have given rise to a wide range of reality cooking shows dedicated to pit upcoming chefs against each other under the tutelage of renowned master chefs with the promise to win incredible prizes.

We have all seen them; Top Chef, Chopped, Iron Chef, just to name but a few. These competitive chef TV shows have wide viewer followings as the aspiring winners compete to be the best at each task thrown at them every week.

The question here is; what is so attractive about these shows exactly?

While it is reasonable for high adrenaline, highly competitive activities that test one’s physical and mental endurance, it is a bit of a mystery why cooking, which is perceived to be more of a soft, sensual activity can be so attractive.

It is possible that some are looking for tips to make gourmet dishes since eating the same variety of meals can be tedious and boring. They, therefore watch these shows to find exciting ways to spice up their culinary routines.

Others may just be intrigued by watching every morsel of tantalizing food on high-definition, which comes with all new televisions nowadays. Lastly, it could be the appealing nature of competition and human drama that draws so many to watch these reality cooking shows.

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