Discover the Best Cooking Classes Online
Online cooking classes let you learn new skills and explore new cuisines without leaving your own kitchen. It’s convenient, easy, and affordable. All you need is a laptop or tablet and an internet connection to join a group of friendly people who love food. If you have had trouble finding an in-person cooking class to take, virtual cooking classes could be just what you need.
Why You Should Learn Cooking Online
When you have decided to learn to cook, taking an online class is an easy and affordable way to go. There are many online cooking classes to choose from. Learn how to bake bread, cookies, or bagels. Learn basic knife skills or how to mix your favorite cocktails. You can decide to learn about a new culture and cuisine by taking an online cooking class in making sushi, Indian food, or Asian dumplings. You can also connect with other people who like to cook when you sign up for online cooking classes. You may even fall in love with cooking and decide to train as a chef! You’ll never know until you take the first step.
Virtual Cooking Classes
Virtual cooking classes come in two types: live online and on-demand videos. In a live online cooking class, you can log in from your own kitchen or dining room and learn along with other culinary enthusiasts, enjoying the instructor’s stories and asking questions about techniques or unfamiliar ingredients. The class takes place in real time with the instructor in one location and students joining over a video conferencing platform like Zoom.
On-demand video classes don’t have a live instructor. You can purchase courses through platforms like SkillShare or Udemy or some on-demand classes are available for free like channels on YouTube. The advantage of on-demand classes is that you can go back and watch them again if you don’t understand something, but in a live online class, you can ask the instructor if you need clarification.
Learn the secrets of crafting New York bagels at home in this virtual Bagel Workshop with Home Cooking New York. Learn to knead the dough, roll it out, and then boil and bake the bagels. At the end of class, you will have a dozen hand-rolled bagels in your favorite flavors.
You can learn to make your favorite cocktails online, too. Virtual Cocktails: Tequila 101 from the Chopping Block at Lincoln Square. The Chopping Block provides curated cooking classes in Chicago and online with expert chef instructors. This virtual mixology class is all about tequila, the Mexican spirit crafted from agave. Learn about the history of tequila, how it is made, and how to use it. In this class, you will make three different tequila-based cocktails: Last Word, a blend of tequila, lime, and Maraschino; Paper Airplane, tequila, lemon, and Aperol; and Corpse Reviver, tequila, lemon, and blood orange. Learn how to set up a bar and what ingredients and tools are required. Find out what jiggering is, explore garnishes, and find out how to choose the appropriate glass and why.
This online Knife Skills 101 is another class by Home Cooking New York. You will learn to choose the best chef’s knife, how to care for it, and use it effectively. To practice your skills, the class will prepare and eat a batch of vegetable minestrone soup. Recipes and an ingredient list will be provided after you sign up. Participants will need to provide their own knives and sharpeners.
In Virtual Crispy Chicken Tortas with the Chopping Block Lincoln Square, participants will learn how to make crispy chicken tortas with beans and avocado, plus elotes, Mexican street corn with mayo, lime, chili, and cheese. In this class, you will learn to prepare and fry the chicken, roast vegetables, and become familiar with Mexican spices.
If the subject of wine feels overwhelming to you, sign up for Wine 101 with the San Francisco Wine School to learn the basics. Participants will taste six different wines and learn about the wine-making process, how to read labels, the right way to store wine, and more. Once you sign up, you can pick up a wine kit or arrange for it to be delivered before class starts. The San Francisco Wine School offers individual classes or certification courses for wine specialists.
French bistros are famous for presenting French country home cooking in a restaurant setting. Explore this cuisine in a French Bistro Supper class with Home Cooking New York. This hands-on virtual cooking class will teach you how to create a dinner with a French flair. Learn to prepare a crisp roasted chicken, ratatouille, and rosemary-roasted potatoes. A list of ingredients will be sent to participants after registration.
Learn all about the British tradition of taking tea in Afternoon Tea, an online cooking class from Teaching Table. The treats you make in this class are perfect for a tea party to celebrate a special day. Learn to make cream scones, homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, lemon drizzle cake, various tea sandwiches, and English tea. You do not need a tea set to participate in this class but it’s a good excuse to dust it off if you have one.
The Chopping Block Lincoln Square shows you how to make a spicy Chinese favorite in Virtual Kung Pao Shrimp. This online Asian cooking class will cover an introduction to Chinese ingredients, how to select and cook shrimp, working with tofu, and more. Participants will make kung pao shrimp with steamed rice and hot and sour soup with tofu.
Private Online Group Cooking Classes
Taking a group cooking class online is a great team-building experience or perfect for a birthday party or shower activity. With CourseHorse you can book any of their in-person cooking classes as a private group event for six or more people. Use the contact form to arrange for your private event. If you need to add more people to an event, let CourseHorse know and you will get an answer within 24 hours.
Online vs. In-Person Cooking Classes
Signing up for a live online cooking class is similar to attending an in-person class. There is an experienced instructor leading the session who can answer your questions during class and demonstrate tricky techniques. You can interact with your fellow students and share your cooking experiences, even though you will all be attending over a video conferencing app like Zoom.
You will need a stable internet connection and a device with a microphone to participate in an online cooking class. Laptops and tablets are a good choice for live online learning. One difference between in-person and live online courses is that you don’t have to commute or look for parking. You can attend class from your own kitchen or anywhere else that is convenient. There are many classes to choose from and you can benefit from the expertise of chef instructors from all over the world.
In an in-person class, ingredients and equipment are provided, but this is not the case with virtual classes. Some people might feel that this is a disadvantage, but the instructors provide a list of materials for you, and as you learn to cook, shopping for ingredients and cooking equipment may become more of a pleasure than it used to be.
Can I Learn Cooking for Free Online?
You can definitely learn to cook online for free. You can find thousands of free tutorials on YouTube for well-known groups like the New York Times cooking section or America’s Test Kitchen. You can learn a lot by following along with on-demand videos, but many people enjoy taking a class with an interesting, experienced chef and other foodies around.
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