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Two years as a private chef in NYC has taught me three things: (1) people will pay a small fortune for homemade pasta, (2) everyone wants to learn how to cook, but most people are terrified to start, and (3) online cooking classes are a chef’s kiss way to level up your act in the kitchen without the pressure of a live audience (or judgmental sous chef). So, I took it upon myself to scour the internet, whisk in hand, to find the absolute best classes out there — because no one should suffer through another dry chicken breast or soupy risotto.
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I spent weeks diving into all the major platforms I could find, experiencing four myself — Cozymeal, Sur La Table online cooking classes, YouTube, and MasterClass — evaluating their content, production, and whether their recipes could survive the chaotic whirlwind that is my home kitchen. From hands-on vegan classes to luxurious Italian cooking experiences, these platforms bring gourmet meals right to your counter. No commuting, no pressure, and some even allow you to pause the chef mid-sentence when you inevitably spill olive oil all over your notes.
Spoiler alert: not all classes are equal. Some are the culinary equivalent of a Netflix binge — entertaining but forgettable — while others will make you feel like you’re one béchamel sauce away from being the next Wolfgang. Ready to turn your kitchen into a five-star restaurant (or at least make fewer fire alarms go off)? Let’s break down the best online cooking classes for adults (and one for kids) that’ll turn you from “Pinterest fail” to “culinary god.”
Pros:
Wide variety of cuisines and dietary options
Live, interactive classes with global chefs
Affordable pricing, starting at $29 per device
Cons:
Classes fill up quickly
May require extra effort to source ingredients
Cozymeal offers live, interactive cooking classes led by world-class chefs from around the globe. Whether you’re craving handmade pasta, spicy Thai curry, or vegan delights, there’s a class for every taste and skill level. With prices starting at $29 per device, it’s an affordable way to bring gourmet flavors into your kitchen. Bonus: They even help you source ingredients through local grocers.
I took the Vegan African Feast class with (the absolutely delightful) Chef Angela-Michelle on Cozymeal, and it was a treasure of an experience. We made Ye’abesha Gomen, a vibrant dish of collard greens and peppers, and Misir Wat, a spiced lentil stew with sweet potatoes that was so flavorful I wanted seconds before I finished the first bowl. The highlight, though, was learning to make injera — Chef Angela-Michelle provided great tips for working with teff flour and even creating a quick injera, and it turned out perfectly spongy and tangy. The class was interactive and well-paced, and it left me feeling confident enough to recreate these dishes on my own.
Pros:
Personalized, couples cooking classes with one-on-one instruction
Romantic and fun for date nights
Global cuisine options
Cons:
Higher cost compared to group classes
Requires advance scheduling
Turn up the heat on your next date night with The Chef & The Dish. This personalized cooking experience pairs you with a professional chef to guide you and your partner through a live, one-on-one class featuring dishes from around the world. Perfect for anniversaries or cooking class date nights, it’s a romantic and delicious way to learn something new together.
Pros:
Kid-friendly recipes and engaging lessons
Affordable at $9.99 for the course
Encourages creativity and confidence in the kitchen
Cons:
Limited to a four-episode series
Focused primarily on beginner-level skills
Craftsy’s Kitchen Invasion is a fun, engaging way to introduce kids to cooking with lessons led by cookbook author and “Food Network Star Kids” winner Amber Kelley. With easy-to-follow recipes and a focus on building confidence, this four-episode series makes cooking exciting for young chefs. At just $9.99, it’s an affordable way to spark creativity in the kitchen without relying on a meal kit delivery or your own devices.
Pros:
Taught by celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay
High production quality and in-depth lessons
Covers advanced techniques and luxury cooking
MasterClass brings the world’s top chefs—like Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck—directly to your screen in beautifully produced, on-demand lessons. Learn high-end techniques, elevate your plating skills, and explore luxury gourmet cooking classes at your own pace. Subscriptions start at $15/month, offering access to not just cooking but a variety of other fascinating subjects.
Pros:
Family-friendly and accessible for all skill levels
Wide variety of vegetarian recipes
Budget-friendly at $29 per household
Sur La Table’s vegetarian cooking classes make plant-based dining delicious and approachable. With options ranging from seasonal recipes to global cuisine, their family-friendly classes are perfect for home cooks of all ages. Priced at $29 per household, these virtual sessions offer a budget-friendly way to create flavorful, meat-free meals.
Best Italian Cooking Classes: Nonna Live
Pros:
Authentic Italian recipes taught by real grandmothers
Live classes with personal interaction
Fun and culturally immersive experience
Cons:
Limited availability of class times
Recipes may require hard-to-find ingredients
Experience the charm of authentic Italian cooking with Nonna Live, where real Italian grandmothers teach you their family recipes via live-streamed classes. Learn to make pasta, pizza, and more, all while enjoying stories and tips from your new favorite Nonna. It’s an unforgettable culinary adventure straight from Italy to your kitchen.
Pros:
Wide variety of baking topics, from beginner to advanced
Self-paced lessons with lifetime access
Affordable subscription at $19/month
Cons:
Not baking-specific; part of a larger e-learning platform
No live interaction or feedback
Skillshare’s baking classes cater to everyone from novice bakers to pastry enthusiasts, offering step-by-step lessons on everything from chocolate chip cookies to delicate French macarons. Their subscription-based platform lets you explore multiple baking topics at your own pace. At $19/month, it’s a sweet deal for anyone with a love for desserts.
Best with Wine Pairing/Mixology: ClassPop!
Pros:
Combines cooking with wine or cocktail pairings
Interactive and fun for 21+ gatherings
Budget-friendly starting at $25 per device
Cons:
Limited class availability in some locations
Alcohol not included; must be sourced separately
ClassPop! combines cooking and cocktails for a unique, interactive experience perfect for foodies who love a good drink. Learn to pair meals with wine or mix up the perfect cocktail while perfecting your culinary skills. Starting at $25 per device, these classes are fun, flavorful, and ideal for 21+ gatherings or date nights.
Pros:
Unique and customizable gift options
Wide variety of cuisines and dishes
Affordable, with classes starting at $25
Cons:
Not all classes are live
Limited class availability for specific cuisines
UncommonGoods offers giftable cooking classes that are as unique as the cuisines they feature. Choose from options like Caribbean, Swedish, or even dog-friendly treats, with prices starting at $25. Perfect for food (and cocktail!) lovers, these classes are a creative and memorable way to share the joy of cooking.
Pros:
Completely free to use
Huge variety of recipes and techniques
Covers beginner to advanced levels
Cons:
No live interaction or feedback
Ads may interrupt the experience
ChefSteps on YouTube is a treasure trove of free, high-quality cooking content perfect for any level of home chef. From beginner-friendly tips to advanced techniques, their library covers it all, including vegan cooking classes, vegetarian, and gourmet options. With zero cost and endless inspiration, it’s a no-brainer for anyone looking to up their cooking game.
How we tested
Testing online cooking classes was equal parts appetizing and chaotic. I sat in on different platforms, participated in one, blocked out my evenings, and transformed my Brooklyn kitchen into a culinary laboratory (read: chaos zone). Between whisking, chopping, and occasionally setting off the smoke alarm, I dove into classes like a curious (and hungry) scientist. From live, interactive lessons to binge-worthy pre-recorded videos, I evaluated everything — teaching style, recipe quality, ease of ingredient sourcing, and whether I actually felt like a better cook by the end. Spoiler: not all classes passed the vibe check, but you don’t need to worry about those.
Also, yes, I ate all the food. Someone had to do it.
FAQs
Is it possible to learn cooking online?
Absolutely! Online cooking classes are a fantastic way to build your skills, whether you’re a beginner struggling to boil water or a seasoned home chef looking to perfect your soufflé. Platforms like Cozymeal and MasterClass offer live and pre-recorded classes that cover everything from basic knife skills to luxury gourmet meals. The best part? You can learn at your own pace, in your own kitchen, and hit pause if things get overwhelming (or if your dog steals your mise en place).
How can I learn cooking online for free?
Learning to cook online for free is totally doable, thanks to platforms like YouTube, where channels like ChefSteps and Tasty offer thousands of recipes and tutorials for no cost. For Amazon users, check out the Amazon Freevee streaming platform, which sometimes features free cooking shows and series like Tastemade. Plus, if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can access cooking-related content like instructional videos and food documentaries at no extra cost. With a little digging, you can turn your kitchen into a free culinary school — just BYO ingredients.
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This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post’s shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith’s Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.