Fantastic food and drink masterclasses
Sophie Farrah logs on to the best online food and drink masterclasses, here's what she found.
Michelin magic
- From £80; bbcmaestro.com
Fasten your apron strings – this comprehensive course taught by the charismatic Marco Pierre White is designed to help you turn the simplest ingredients into something sublime. Over the course of 35 pre-recorded classes (totalling three and half hours, which are yours to keep), you’ll learn a variety of dishes and techniques from the first British (and youngest) chef to be awarded three Michelin stars.
Go global
- From £10; chefsforfoodies.com
At Chefs for Foodies, online classes are taught by an impressive selection of pro chefs from around the world, including Michelin stars such as Rohit Ghai and Daniel Galmiche. The live classes focus on one delicious dish, ingredient boxes are available, and there are some fun sessions for kids too.
Raise a glass
- Average cost £75 (includes four to six full-sized bottles); wineandsomething.com
For special occasions, corporate events or if you’re simply eager to learn more about the world of wine, Guildford’s Wine&Something offers a variety of fun virtual wine tastings and a choice of entertaining and knowledgeable hosts, including its Master of Wine. Wines are delivered in advance (just try to resist finishing them before the event...).
Inventive veg
Fork & Dram
- From £30 (for two); vanillablackhome.myshopify.com
One of my favourite restaurants, Vanilla Black, has moved its vegetarian cooking online. Join chef Andrew Dargue and learn to make a variety of plant-based dishes with a twist; the challenge this month is banana bread as a savoury dish. All ingredients are delivered beforehand.
Taste the world
- £60 (for two); acookstour.co.uk
Luxury London caterer Rocket has launched A Cook’s Tour, which hosts live fortnightly cook-along with top-notch ingredients delivered to your door, and a restaurant-quality meal at the end of it. This month’s destination is Vietnam, with pho, rainbow rolls, papaya salad and more.
Be a fire starter
Surrey’s Salt Box now offers its popular Cooking over Fire course online with four pre-recorded video workshops. You don’t need any fancy equipment to take part– just an outdoor space where you can safely build a fire.
Get brewing
- £80; londonbeerlab.com
Fancy brewing your own beer? The London Beer Lab can send you a five-litre equipment starter kit with all the ingredients needed for your first brew (choose from Pale Ale or Bitter). It comes with instructions, how-to videos and access to a virtual communal brew day.
Fermenting well
West London kitchen shop and cookery school Borough Kitchen offer an abundance of online experiences, covering everything from bao buns to French macarons, as well as specific skills such as knife techniques and pasta making. I recently did its fantastic fermentation and pickling class and learnt to make kimchi, sauerkraut and preserved lemons.
Cocktail o’clock
- £15pp; sipsmith.com/tours
Chiswick gin distillery Sipsmith has a host of virtual Sip At Home experiences, including lively cocktail making masterclasses (from £40, including ingredients). Online distillery tours include a tutored tasting of Sipsmith’s London Dry, Lemon Drizzle and Zesty Orange gins, samples of which are delivered to you in advance.
Sweet treats
- £15 per household (+ £14 for ingredients or you can buy your own); mychocolate.co.uk
Learn new chocolate skills and how to make fresh cream truffles with My chocolate’s online truffle making workshop, Isolation Sensation. Mix your ganache, practice piping techniques, learn tips, tricks and more. Sweet!
