Ever dreamt about making your own cooking show? 

For many years, I was flying here, there, and everywhere (usually to daytime TV network sets) to film cooking segments.

Then, when the pandemic hit in 2020, everything changed, and all my cooking segments were filmed right from my home kitchen. At first, it started with the networks sending a camera crew.

And then, as the virus progressed, it became clear that I had to be my own camera crew.

It was also a time when everything was going remote, and we were seeing the height of everyday people becoming influencers and content creators from the comfort of their homes. It felt like the playing field was truly leveled. You no longer needed high end equipment or to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles to be featured. All you needed was a small digital camera (or your phone) and a unique on-screen presence. 

So, if you’ve ever wanted to have your own cooking show… now’s the time! It’s easier than you think. And who knows? You might just become the next internet sensation!

Here’s my easy-peasy lemon squeezy guide to launching your very own cooking show. 

Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Foodie Storyteller

First things first: what’s cooking, good looking? What makes your culinary heart race? What’s your unique passion? Is it recreating your grandma’s secret recipes, exploring vegan delights, or diving fork-first into the world of fermented fantasies? Your own personal niche is your show’s secret sauce. Own it, love it, and talk about it! Every dish has a story, and so do you. Take some time to write down what you love about cooking, your favorite dishes, your food stories, and what cooking means to you.

Step 2: The Set-Up – Your Kitchen is Your Stage

Clean up your kitchen and customize it based on what you want to express. Is it laid back? Is it traditional? Is it rustic? Are you a chef with a green thumb? You don’t need a Gordon Ramsay setup. Just make sure it’s well-lit (natural light for the win!), tidy (hide those dirty dishes!), and has a bit of character (yes, that quirky teapot counts). In terms of tech, a decent smartphone or a camera, a cheap tripod, and maybe a lavalier microphone are all you need to get rolling.

Step 3: Get Cooking, Get Filming

Here’s where the fun begins! Pick a recipe that you can talk about endlessly, as if it’s your first love. Start simple, something that won’t have you juggling more than you can handle while trying to be the next Nigella Lawson. Practice your dish, then practice talking while cooking. It can take a few tries, but trust me, you’ll get it. When you’re ready, hit record! Be your authentic self, mishaps and all. If you drop the chicken on the floor, well, that’s just a secret seasoning. Keep rolling!

Step 4: Edit Like a Pro

Editing is everything. It’s where you can turn bland and boring into intriguing and charming. We know this from our favorite shows, some of which would not be nearly as sensational without the dramatic music and creative cuts. These days, there’s a wealth of user-friendly editing apps and software options that won’t have you pulling your hair out. Cut out the long, boring bits, add some fun music, and maybe a blooper or two to keep it real. Your goal is to keep it engaging, informative, and, most importantly, relatable. And don’t forget that you can always grow and change and you go. No one remembers the pilot of a show anyway. The trick is to just keep creating!

Step 5: Share it with the World and Keep Going!

Congrats, chef! You completed that first video! Now, share your masterpiece with the world via YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Engage with your audience, reply to comments, take feedback with a pinch of salt, and keep experimenting. The key is consistency and passion. YOUR kitchen, YOUR rules.

We hope you loved this blueprint on how to become the star of your own cooking show, right from your humble abode. Keep cooking, keep filming, keep sharing, and have fun along the way.

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