Chefs show their personal sides in videos and podcasts

It seems that all of our favorite chefs and food personalities are doing at-home cooking shows these days. From Alton Brown’s Quarantine Quitchen, to Samin Nosrat’s recently-launched podcast titled Home Cooking, to José Andrés presenting cooking videos on Instagram with the hashtag #recipesforthepeople, and Ina Garten’s soothing Instagram feed, there is no shortage to quality cooking information with a side of entertainment.

Alton Brown and his wife Elizabeth Ingram bring a lot more to the videos than food. They play guitar, sing and wear silly costumes, and their dog Scabigail even makes cameo appearances. José Andrés is joined by his daughters and frequently an impressive soundtrack. Nosrat fields questions submitted by fans and is joined by guests who help her explain how to use your stash of beans and how to make lasagna. Last week Nosrat said the fourth episode of Home Cooking was the “final-ish” one, so it sounds like something else might be in the works.

In these videos and podcasts, the chefs and stars are unscripted and relaxed. Alton Brown appreciates that in his YouTube channel he can mention brand names, so we can finally learn which brands he likes best. The relaxed atmosphere in the productions is charming and might point the way to how some food media is presented going forward. Apparently being chill is rubbing off on everyone: René Redzepi is reopening Noma as an outdoor burger and wine bar with a limited menu. Don’t worry, this is only temporary as he works to fully reopen his iconic restaurant.