It’s simple to Google a vegan dish and find a decent YouTube video for it, but the communal feel of cooking is definitely lacking from those dump-and-pour, time-lapse clips. In addition, it could take multiple videos to learn all the techniques so expertly demonstrated in one recording, and at that point, we tend to throw in the apron and order takeout. There is immense value in cooking classes, and while we can’t be in the educational kitchen with an instructor, virtual courses are doing a fantastic job of replicating the hands-on experience. Sharpen those knives and stock up on nutritional yeast, then hit play on any of these five virtual vegan cooking experiences.
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1. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau Vegan Cooking Classes
A vegan advocate for decades, Patrick-Goudreau is one of the modern vegan movement originals. Her live classes are taught from her Oakland home kitchen and allow for virtual interaction between her and all class participants. Registration is required as all viewers receive the recipes in advance in order to cook along with her in real-time. Participants also receive a video recording of the class to review the techniques whenever needed. Upcoming classes feature homemade tofu and soy milk; vegan afternoon tea (scones, lemon curd, whipped cream); bagels, bread, and biscuits; and more. Missed a class? There’s an option to purchase video recordings of previous classes.
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2. Catskill Animal Sanctuary Compassionate Cuisine
Catskill Animal Sanctuary is more than a home for rescued farm animals—it’s an immersive experience that employs a wide variety of initiatives to help others go (and stay) vegan. Led by the experienced Chef Linda, these classes used to take place on the farm but have now gone digital. She is available to book for private or small group online cooking courses—from family-friendly meals to haute cuisine for intimate date nights, Chef Linda will expertly guide you to having more confidence in the kitchen through these cook-along events. While you’re at it, check out the sanctuary’s Facebook Live on Tuesday and Thursdays at 1pm EST for virtual tours of the farm. Expect a few adorable nose boops from cows and up-close goat shenanigans.
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3. Spork Foods Organic Vegan Cooking Classes
After months of inactivity at their Los Angeles teaching kitchen, the Spork Sisters have pivoted and taken their popular cooking courses to Zoom. When taught in-person, these classes would sell out weeks in advance. While not quite the same experience, the digital aspect has allowed for more people to join and gain access to the sister’s coveted recipes and unmatched knowledge in the kitchen. The first class launches August 30 and features the duo’s quick comfort classics: From Scratch Red Bean Burgers, the BEST Burger Secret Sauce, and No-Bake Mississippi Mud Pie. Keep an eye on their site for future classes.
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4. Miyoko’s Home Comforts
Join the Vegan Cheese Queen from her home kitchen as she whips up a gourmet vegan recipe with a glass of wine always nearby. Miyoko Schinner posts her cooking demonstrations on Facebook Live every Friday at 4pm PST. Past episodes include everything from vegan cioppino to the basics of tofu and tempeh. Expect a lot of pasta, guest appearances, cameos from Mr. Merlin (her cat), and plenty of vegan wine.
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5. Vegan Street Fair at Home
It goes without saying that as one of the largest single-day vegan events in the world, Vegan Street Fair was canceled this year. Along with it, the brand’s Vegan Street Fair Nights and weekly Vegan Exchange pop-ups were also shut down. However, there is some silver lining here. Thanks to the founder’s creativity, anyone with an internet connection can experience the glory of Vegan Street Fair. By becoming a Patreon subscriber, fans can access monthly content that includes vegan cooking classes taught by guest chefs and food business owners. The August lineup included live tutorials in vegan baking, savory dishes, cocktails and mocktails, and breakfast items. Subscribe at any time and receive the current month’s content— and look forward to the upcoming month’s schedule of educational eats.
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
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