Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Selena + Chef is perfectly nice. It's wholesome, it's safe, Selena is charming and self-deprecating, and you'll learn some actual cooking techniques. The problem? It's kind of boring, especially for kids.

The whole show is trapped in 2020's pandemic Zoom aesthetic—every episode is Selena in her kitchen on a video call with a chef in their kitchen. It was novel then; now it just feels like a time capsule. The pacing is slow, the format is repetitive, and unless your kid is already genuinely interested in cooking (not just watching cooking competition shows, but actually wanting to learn techniques), they're going to tune out.

For teens who cook or adults looking for pleasant background TV while meal-prepping, it's solid. The IMDB 8.3 rating reflects that adult appeal. But for most families looking for something to watch together? There are way more engaging options that'll actually hold everyone's attention.

The WISE components are strong—it's wholesome, safe, and does teach real skills—but the entertainment factor for kids is low enough that the overall score takes a hit. It's not bad; it's just not particularly compelling for its supposed age 6+ audience.

Age Fit

Common Sense says age 6, but realistically this is best for teens (13+) and adults who enjoy cooking shows. Younger kids will find it slow and won't have the attention span for 30-minute cooking lessons over video chat. If your tween is genuinely into cooking, they might enjoy it; otherwise, skip.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Positive, encouraging format where Selena Gomez learns from professional chefs in a collaborative, humble way. The tone is warm and self-deprecating rather than competitive or chaotic. Models persistence and good humor when things don't go perfectly in the kitchen. Common Sense Media age rating of 6 suggests appropriate content throughout.

Imaginative

58

The format is fairly standard cooking-show fare—celebrity learns from expert via video call. While it showcases different cuisines and techniques, it doesn't particularly invite viewers to build, explore, or express creativity themselves. The pandemic-era remote format was novel in 2020 but feels dated now. Minimal originality beyond the celebrity angle.

Safe

92

Extremely safe content—cooking instruction with no violence, scary moments, or inappropriate material. The CSM age 6 rating and HBO Max kids mode availability confirm family-friendly nature. No concerning elements for unexpected viewing. Kitchen accidents are minimal and played for laughs rather than drama.

Enriching

71

Genuine skill-building in cooking techniques, recipe following, and kitchen confidence. Viewers see real mistakes and problem-solving. The show features diverse chefs and cuisines, offering cultural exposure. Charitable component (donations to each chef's chosen charity) adds ethical dimension. However, entertainment value is moderate—it's pleasant but not particularly engaging for most kids. IMDB 8.3 suggests adult appeal but limited kid engagement.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely wholesome—Selena is humble, funny about her mistakes, and creates a warm, non-competitive vibe
Teaches real cooking skills and techniques from actual professional chefs across different cuisines
Each episode supports charity (chefs choose organizations to receive donations), adding a giving-back element
Safe for the whole family with zero concerning content—perfect background viewing
Shows that it's okay to mess up and keep trying, which is a solid message for kids learning any new skill

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What to Watch For

The constant Zoom/video call format screams 2020 and feels dated—kids who don't remember pandemic lockdowns may find it weird
Honestly pretty boring for most kids under 10—this is really for teens and adults who already have some interest in cooking
Episodes can drag; the pacing is slow and conversational rather than dynamic
Some younger kids might get frustrated watching someone struggle in the kitchen rather than seeing polished results

Conversation Starters

"What's something you'd like to learn to cook? Should we try making it together?"
"Selena makes a lot of mistakes—how do you feel when you're learning something new and it doesn't go perfectly?"
"Which of these recipes looked the most interesting to you? Want to try it this weekend?"
"Why do you think each chef picked their specific charity? What cause would you want to support?"

Stills