Best Online Cooking Classes of 2022

Best Overall: Sur La Table

Why We Chose It 

Sur la Table has a reputation for quality, and its classes are no exception. Each fully interactive class is taught by culinary professionals who are also trained teachers. Plus, the included prep packet offers shopping lists for easy prep. 

Pros & Cons 

Pros 

• Affordable with one price for each device
• Prep packet includes a shopping list and preclass tips 
• Wide variety of dishes 
• Classes are taught by experienced teachers, not just chefs

Cons 

• Classes are scheduled monthly and not flexible
• Class sizes may be larger than expected due to the online nature
• Few classes are vegetarian
• No customization offered

Coastal crab cakes, sangria, or cupcakes: Which would you choose? Sur la Table has a reputation for high-end culinary products and cooking classes in its stores around the country. With a wide variety of dishes to choose from, there’s undoubtedly something for everyone to enjoy. 

Additionally, the seasoned teaching staff teaches online cooking classes at Sur la Table, all of whom have worked in the industry and the retail space. Looking for a bit more star power? There are occasional celebrity chef courses as well and you can learn the ways of Emeril Lagasse or Martha Stewart. 

Classes are priced per device and start at about $29, so you’re only limited by how many people you can fit in your kitchen. All lessons are prefaced with a prep package that includes a shopping list and information about what you need to know before the lesson goes live. Expect courses to range from 90 minutes to two hours long.

Sur la Table offers a one-two punch of entertainment value and solid technical teaching that could be a great bachelorette party, date night, or distraction from addressing your invitations.

Best for Couples: Traveling Spoon

Why We Chose It

If you’re looking for a fun date night, Traveling Spoon offers private classes that are intimate and fun. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Private classes and individual attention 
• Connects you with cooks around the world
• Hosts are vetted through the service 
• Reviews for each class on the website 
• Accommodates allergies and dietary restrictions

Cons

• Scheduling can be tricky working across international time zones
• Some classes require a two-person minimum to book

You long to jet off to Valencia for a late-night meal of traditional Spanish paella but don’t have the budget. Have no fear: The Traveling Spoon brings the expertise of local cooks into the comfort of your kitchen. With experiences from around the world, Traveling Spoon allows you to experience culinary delights from around the world through cooking classes with locals. 

The company initially organized in-home experiences while guests were traveling but now offers online classes, too. Now, you can choose from an extensive list of dishes and cuisines and book a completely private lesson: just your group and your host. And, Traveling Spoon vets all hosts, so you’re guaranteed a delicious experience. 

Classes start at about $40 for one device, with an additional $20 per device after that. Some hosts require a minimum number of devices to book. All have a maximum of nine devices, so you’ll never feel lost in the shuffle. Hosts provide an ingredient list and any advanced prep that needs to be completed before class. Since it is a private experience, guests may communicate with hosts about allergies or dietary restrictions beforehand. 

Booking aims to accommodate both host and guest schedules, which can be tricky when learning from people across the planet. Still, the service has rave reviews, so a great date night is within reach.

Best for Beginners: Udemy

Why We Chose It

If you want to dip your toes in the water, Udemy offers a huge variety of low-cost cooking classes that can be streamed at any time. 

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Cost-efficient
• Flexible scheduling 
• Wide range of experience levels 
• Lifetime access 

Cons 

So, you don’t know how to make scrambled eggs, let alone a pavlova? No problem. Udemy, one of the world’s largest platforms for online learning, has more than 400 classes specifically focused on teaching you the basics of cooking. With its wide variety of classes, you can learn a technique or try a recipe, all on your schedule. 

Udemy courses are taught by professionals in the field and have reviews on each course, so you can decide what to take based on real-life experiences. Classes range in length from a few minutes to 17 hours, but most clock in under three hours. The prices also vary from about $20 to $100 but are also subject to occasional promo codes that can significantly reduce your investment. There are a few free courses as well; you can search for classes by several criteria to narrow your search. 

Since Udemy classes are prerecorded, there’s no option to ask questions as you go; however, you are granted lifetime access to all lessons purchased, so you can rewatch as much as needed. 

Best for Amateur Chefs: MasterClass

Why We Chose It

For those who want to take their kitchen skills to the next level, MasterClass offers deep dives with the world’s best chefs. 

Pros & Cons 

Pros

• Classes by industry-leading chefs
• Extensive courses 
• Short class times
• Downloadable to watch at your leisure

Cons

• Pricey compared to other services

You’ve seen the commercials: MasterClass is the destination for learning from those who have not only mastered their craft but become famous while doing it, and its culinary section is no exception. So if you want to learn how to make pasta from Massimo Bottura or fine dining from Thomas Keller, MasterClass is perfect. 

MasterClass prices itself as a membership, billing annually for about $180. While that price tag may seem steep, it includes classes across all subjects. So if you’re interested in a series of courses or even just more than two or three, a membership may be worth it. This also includes workbooks, offline lessons, a members’ only newsletter, and a community of users worldwide. 

Unlike many other online cooking classes, each chef’s course interweaves technique videos with recipes. For example, Gordon Ramsey’s course includes basics like knife skills and his famed beef Wellington. There are samples of each course available on the website, so you can get a feel of whether you’ll resonate with each chef. 

Although there are only 18 lessons currently available, new ones are added all the time. Plus, each course averages four hours broken up into shorter videos so you can take it at your own pace. And you can rewatch videos as much as you want as long as you’re a member of the site. By the end of one year, you might be ready to stage in Ramsey’s kitchen.