Cooked

Cooked is a captivating 2016 docu-series on Netflix that takes viewers on a global culinary adventure, exploring the intimate relationship between food and culture. Infused with rich narratives, the show is an extraordinary visual and epicurean spectacle that lures viewers in, satiating their appetite for knowledge as they delve deeper into the art of cooking. It's a four-episode miniseries that makes food the main character, celebrating it as a unifying factor that transcends geographical boundaries and connects us all.

The show is centered on the underlying philosophy of Michael Pollan, the acclaimed food author and host, who invites us to rediscover lost culinary arts and traditions. Pollan, famous for his best-seller "The Omnivore's Dilemma," channels his intense passion for food and his profound understanding of the ethos and history behind cooking to cast the spotlight on the basic elements - Fire, Water, Air, and Earth.

Each of these four elements signifies a method of cooking and forms an individual episode in the series. In the 'Fire' episode, Pollan considers the universal human fascination with grilling and explores cooking with fire, unearthing the profound connection between barbecue cultures across various nations from the Australian outback to the American South. The 'Water' episode sees Pollan delve into the art of pot cooking, a method that transformed humankind's ability to absorb nutrients.

In the third episode 'Air,' Pollan explores the science behind bread-making – the practice of turning grain into fluffy loaves, a transformative culinary feat achieved through the power of fermentation and the work of microbes. Finally, the 'Earth' episode focuses on fermentation practices worldwide, with cookbooks taking a backseat as traditional methods make an onstage appearance.

While Cooked deep-dives into the techniques and history of cooking, it goes beyond the surface, posing essential questions about our food culture today. It presents an intriguing juxtaposition of a bygone era where home-cooked meals were the norm against today's fast-food-centric society. It serves to educate us about where food comes from and prompts us to be more conscious of what we consume daily.

Pollan's powerful narration drives the series as he not only narrates but experiments and cooks onscreen, providing an immersive viewing experience. He skillfully advocates the return of home cooking, honing in on the importance of preparing our meals and understanding the process, ingredients, the cultural significance while also emphasizing the pleasure and satisfaction derived from it.

A variety of interesting personalities and experts are featured throughout the series, including chefs, bakers, brewers, food scientists, and traditional food producers. These interviews provide viewers with unique insights into different cooking techniques and the significance of food across cultures, enhancing the narrative richness and global character of Cooked.

The cinematography of Cooked is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the beauty of raw ingredients and showcasing the enchanting transformation they undergo through cooking. Each delectable detail, from the bubbling of a stew to the browning of meat on a fire, is captured with an almost poetic elegance. The series is peppered with stunning landscape shots that take viewers on a culinary tour from Morocco to Peru to India, revealing how universal our love of food is.

What Cooked does masterfully is create a connection between the viewer and the food on the screen, urging them to think about their food habits and take a step towards sustainable eating. While the show does sound like a feast for food lovers, it straddles the world of food, culture, science, and history with elan, enticing not just foodies but anyone interested in exploring the world and its many flavors.

In summary, Netflix's Cooked presents an informative and enthralling journey through our global culinary landscape, making it a must-watch for food enthusiasts and conservationists alike. It's an enlightening show that explores the elaborate tapestry of human civilization through its cooking traditions while reminding us to respect and uphold the culinary heritage that nature has bestowed upon us. It's a thought-provoking, palate-stimulating, and eye-opening series that is, in essence, a love letter to food and its vast potential to connect us all.