Mister Ajikko

Mister Ajikko is the original gourmet manga and although the genre has gone through several evolutions since 1973, Shokugeki no Souma is probably the closest to inheriting its DNA in the current generation. Mister Ajikko established the shonen themes of competing through cooking battles and the protagonist striving to improve himself and his skills. Souma also embraces other shonen tropes like nakama and genius vs hard-work which have become standard in the genre since Ajikko's time. However, the biggest sign that Souma is a throwback is the exaggerated reactions by the people eating the food which was first developed in Mister Ajikko to help express the food's deliciousness in a visual medium. During the mid-80s reactions became more subtle and information was imparted by an expert critiquing the food (which Souma also often incorporates). read more 

Young man's journey to better his cooking skill, featuring fights conducted through cooking and visually creative depictions of foodgasms. Both of these anime have that. 

just like shokugeki no souma, Mister Ajikko is a anime based on competitive cooking that leaves you drooling just for a taste of their food. Also they both have competitive main characters who creates new ideas for cooking that leaves you amazed. I recomment this for all hungry anime lovers who enjoys competition, food, and following main characters on the road of dreams.  

Also an anime about a young boy cook.