There are other anime/manga in this niche, Shokugeki no Souma isn't special in that regard.
Sure its the first to be made in recent years and benefits from better production due to that but its hardly a unique little snowflake.
For example give Chūka Ichiban!(Cooking Master Boy), or Yakitate!! Japan a look. The first is super old but brilliant and the second is similar to Shokugeki no Souma in that what they create tends to have OTT reactions. (non-ecchi)
You can also follow the recipes from both of those and actually create something real, Shokugeki no Souma has a habit of focusing on one or two ingredients and glossing over the rest of the process which I find frustrating.
Sure its the first to be made in recent years and benefits from better production due to that but its hardly a unique little snowflake.
For example give Chūka Ichiban!(Cooking Master Boy), or Yakitate!! Japan a look. The first is super old but brilliant and the second is similar to Shokugeki no Souma in that what they create tends to have OTT reactions. (non-ecchi)
You can also follow the recipes from both of those and actually create something real, Shokugeki no Souma has a habit of focusing on one or two ingredients and glossing over the rest of the process which I find frustrating.