There’s something incredibly frustrating about watching a fictional TV chef cook something that looks absolutely delicious.
Sure, showing off skills can add depth to a character, but what about the depth of our stomachs?
While my favorite fictional TV chefs are hard at work on screen, I get hungry beyond belief, so it’s time to round up some A-list chefs.
While there were countless incredible chefs, we had to narrow it down to 13, which was no easy task.
These chefs make us salivate for their food (and sometimes their looks, charm, and personality).
Finding the best food means poring over hours of TV episodes filled with the best-looking foods we’ll never get the chance to taste.
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But if the universe gave us the ability to eat at a fictional chef’s table, we would undoubtedly choose one of them.
Without further ado, in no particular order, let’s take a look at some of television’s most talented fictional chefs.
Hannah Swenson Mystery Hannah Swenson
In Hallmark’s “The Hannah Svenson Mysteries,” Hannah owns a bakery, and a large portion of each movie details her love for the process.
We see her rolling out dough, filling pastries, and then sharing delicious meals with customers and friends.
Alison Sweeney plays the role with expertise, as her love of baking matches her passion for solving crimes.
This means that even if murder is on the menu, we’ll still get a sense of visual pleasure.
Carmen “Cami” Berzato in “The Bear”
Kami obviously deserves a spot here because of the food he makes, but that’s not the only reason why he’s so mouth-watering.
You know, Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein ad says it all, doesn’t it?
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In Hulu’s hit comedy Bears, Cami works well below his capabilities after taking over the family restaurant, but his talent is still on display.
He may have given up fine dining for local fare, but he will always be the award-winning chef he strived to be.
Eric Wheatley of Sweet Magnolias
Eric’s fudge brownies and cinnamon ice cream are mouth-watering.
Fan-favorite Sweet Magnolia cooks up meals that can even heal a heartbreak—what’s not to love?
Also, Eric made a pretty good wedding cake.
Not to mention he’s pretty easy on the eyes too!
Eliot Spencer “Leverage”
When I watched “Leverage,” I couldn’t stop thinking about his handmade sandwiches from “The Office.”
As an added bonus, we also got to experience a hilarious back and forth between him and Hardison over sandwiches.
Eliot is an unexpected but brilliant chef, and the moments when they show him cooking will leave you craving for more.
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He could have easily had his own cooking show.
He takes down bad guys while providing food for the entire wedding. Talk about talent!
It’s safe to say his food makes your mouth water, but he’s super attractive so he does too.
Desperate Housewives Bree van de Kemp
As the fictional TV chef puts it, this woman can bake like no one else, and she’s absolutely stunning.
For those with a sweet tooth, this is a trait worth appreciating.
From muffins and pastries to casseroles and holiday meals, Bree will have you seated at her table.
Don’t worry—once you’ve cleared your plate, you can stay and watch the equally delicious drama.
They don’t call them “Desperate Housewives” for nothing!
Beverly Goldberg – The Goldbergs
Beverly is a delicacy at the Goldbergs.
Her two favorite things besides her family are gossip and food.
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Her “food is love” attitude often gets her into trouble, especially during holiday celebrations.
Whether she’s cooking a family dinner or working on getting her cookbook published, she always brings a lot of laughs.
Gourmet Detective Henry Ross
Another Hallmark favorite, Food Detective brings us Henry, a dashing and handsome culinary consultant.
He seemed to know everything about food.
When a murder occurs at a friend’s restaurant, he teams up with detective Maggie Price (Brooke Burns) to solve the case.
After the initial case, the two formed an ongoing team.
Henry had great taste, but he also had a keen eye and a taste for solving mysteries.
Plus, he can pour the charm as easily as ingredients into a bowl.
Monica Gellar in “Friends”
Monica’s talent went unappreciated throughout much of Friends, which is a real shame.
She’s a whiz in the kitchen and can whip up everything from dinner to gourmet meals, which is no small feat.
There’s a reason Monica is in charge of all group meals.
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Even her always picky mother had to admit that the food Monica served was delicious.
She manages to impress everyone she cooks for, even if they know nothing about food.
Her career takes some strange turns throughout the series, but she never gives up on her dream of becoming a chef.
suki st james of gilmore girls
Sookie is one of the characters that made Melissa McCarthy famous.
With a character as fun and entertaining as Sookie, it’s no wonder she remains a fan favorite even long after Gilmore Girls ended.
Suki is not only a loyal friend but also a top chef.
She cooked at home and hosted countless events for Star Valley, keeping guests at the Independence Inn and Firefly Inn well fed.
Bob’s Burgers
Calling Bob a chef might be a stretch since his niche is frying burgers, but stick with my point.
Every day, Bob’s will feature a creative and unique Daily Burger, proudly advertised on a board inside Bob’s Burgers stores.
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They all have pun-y names, but they’re also truly delicious treats.
You can even find recipes for them if you want to give them a try!
Gabby Diamond on “Young & Hungry”
Gabby is a personal chef who works for tech millionaires, so we get to see her exquisite dishes up close and personal.
She prepares sumptuous meals every day for her boss-turned-lover.
Gabby also hosted elaborate dinners and always had a delicious meal on hand when friends needed a pick-me-up.
The Young & Hungry series may have had a cliffhanger finale, but Gabby’s talent in the kitchen was never a mystery.
She’s definitely one of the best fictional TV chefs to grace the screen.
Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster and Chef Gon
listen to me.
The sign of being able to do something well is the ability to teach others how to do it, right?
Cookie Monster and Chef Gunge take requests from kids around the world to recreate their favorite treats and dip their paws into treats from different cultures around the world.
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The recipes they create and share are simple enough for young children at home to help make. They’re usually delicious too!
This is another reason why Sesame Street is one of the best (and longest running) shows of all time!
Bobby Nash of 9-1-1
Bobby may be the captain of 118, but he’s also the actual cook of 9-1-1.
The lovely leader showed his love by feeding his people, and his people felt the love!
Keep cooking delicious meals for the firefighters and serve delicious dinners to your wife Athena at home.
Always proving that a man in an apron is a man you can’t help but love, Bobby is one of the best fictional TV chefs we know.
Now that our stomachs are growling at the thought of all these incredible fictional dishes, let’s go find some snacks.
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If we missed your favorite TV chef, let us know in the comments!
