Cooking shows are gaining traction, with two prominent figures, Meghan Markle and Pamela Anderson, bringing distinct flavors to their programming. While Markle's new series, With Love, Meghan, has faced its fair share of scrutiny, Anderson's Cooking with Love is garnering praise on Canada's Flavour Network.
Critics have leveled accusations at Markle, claiming her latest endeavor is unoriginal and reminiscent of Anderson’s show, which focuses on plant-based cooking. Cooking with Love aired its premiere episode on February 24, 2025, directly after the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where Anderson was nominated for her role in The Last Showgirl.
Anderson's show prioritizes her homemaking skills, wrapping each episode with delightful plant-based dinner parties featuring guests from the culinary world. She filmed the episodes at her home in Ladysmith, British Columbia, integrating her love for local ingredients and natural beauty. "Canada has always been good to me. It has provided me strength, roots, and confidence," she explained.
Audiences are captivated by Anderson’s authentic approach, showcased not only through her vegetarian feasts but also by her ability to engage with food sustainably, reaping the fruits and vegetables from her garden. This connection to her homeland resonates with viewers, including those on Vancouver Island, where the show has found significant traction.
While Anderson enjoys positive feedback, Markle's series has been juxtaposed against Anderson’s, with some social media users pointing to Markle’s previous lifestyle content, claiming her latest project expresses her longstanding interests. On March 11, 2025, one X user shared footage from Markle's appearance on The Real Girl's Kitchen with Haylie Duff back in 2014, highlighting her love for cooking. “That’s got really nice flavor,” Markle noted, sampling pickled vegetables, adding, "See, I'm interested in the okra situation here." Comments from fans reflect the sentiment: "The same people who were mad she had The Tig are now pretending this wasn't always her passion.”
Markle's passion for cooking content dates back nearly a decade with the launch of her lifestyle blog, The Tig, which she shut down upon marrying Prince Harry. “I loved The Tig, but I love my husband more,” she stated during interviews promoting her latest Netflix venture. She emphasized, “Well, I loved The Tig, but I certainly love my husband more.” This historical commitment to sharing her culinary experiences adds depth to her current show, which seeks to reconcile past engagements with her passion for lifestyle programming.
Critically, both women are redefining their careers through these projects. Anderson's focus on community support shines through as she cultivates her brand identity as more than just entertainment; her ventures echo resilience, tying back to Canadian pride and global experiences. Meanwhile, Markle attempts to carve out her niche amid the tumultuous waters of celebrity and royal obligations. Her critics suggest she is merely mimicking Anderson’s successful format.
While Markle’s critics want to draw parallels between the two broadcasts, the former actress appears undeterred, and the video resurfacing from her earlier work lends credence to her dedication to this style of programming. “I’m old enough to recall when Meghan Markle appeared on Haylie Duff’s cooking show: Real Girl’s Kitchen,” remarked one fan, casting light on Markle's consistency and commitment.
Meanwhile, educated culinary conversations continue as both shows progress, with upcoming episodes set to feature renowned chefs like Andy Baraghani on Anderson's program, leading to much excitement among viewers. Airing every Monday at 6 p.m. on the Flavour Network, Cooking with Love seeks to bridge the gap between celebrity culture and everyday cooking efforts.
The rivalry, if it can be called such, between Markle and Anderson, encapsulates the intersection of the modern kitchen experience with celebrity branding, where each woman is striving to connect socially and impactfully through food. Pamela Anderson expressed, “Creating Canadian content with Canadian productions and distributors was something I felt strongly about, especially at this point in my life.”
Underpinning this cooking show phenomenon lies the pivotal concept of identity—both women are uniquely intertwining their public personas with their culinary interests. This venture is more than just entertainment for Markle and Anderson; it reflects their journeys as women, offering insights to viewers about their real-life experiences, aspirations, and love for cooking.
Going forward, fans are excited to see how both series develop, especially considering the baking popularity of celebrity-based cooking shows over the years. Anderson's future episodes will include guest chefs such as Michael Solomonov and Melissa King. Each show continues to thrive on the vibrant connections made both on screen and off, bringing food to the center of cultural exchange.
Whether or not Markle and Anderson’s cooking shows are direct competitors or simply coincidentally share timing, one thing is certain: each woman has found her way back to the kitchen, and audiences are here for it. While the criticism might swirl, the joy of cooking and sharing experiences through food is what unites them and engages viewers around the globe.