If you’re coming to the culinary arts as a novice, or you have some experience and want to hone your skills, you’re in the right place. Cooking is a skill that keeps you nourished, brings you and your family together, and even opens up new doors for a career.
With so many online courses, it’s become easier than ever to learn otherwise specialist knowledge. In fact, you can learn cooking from some of the greatest chefs of our time – from Gordon Ramsay and Wolfgang Puck, to Thomas Keller and even Kellis.
So, on this list of best cooking courses, there’s bound to be something for you – regardless of what level you’re at. When putting it together, I took into account different backgrounds and skill sets, along with the goals you might be aspiring to when taking a cooking course.
That being said, let’s get into it.
What is the best online cooking class?
My top picks are:
- Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I (MasterClass)
- Massimo Bottura Teaches Modern Italian Cooking (MasterClass)
- Gabriela Camara Teaches Mexican Cooking (MasterClass)
- Alice Waters Teaches the Art of Home Cooking (MasterClass)
- Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking (MasterClass)
- Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques I (MasterClass)
- Wolfgang Puck Teaches Cooking (MasterClass)
- Mashama Bailey Teaches Southern Cooking (MasterClass)
- Yotam Ottolenghi Teaches Modern Middle Eastern Cooking (MasterClass)
- Kellis – Creative Cooking: Simple Sauces to Elevate Every Meal (Skillshare)
While all of these options are excellent, my number one pick has to be ‘Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking’ where you get to learn how to make classic dishes from the 17 Michelin-starred chef himself.
One of my personal highlights is that Chef Ramsay doesn’t rest on expensive ingredients and sophisticated cooking techniques. Instead, he teaches you how to get the most out of humble ingredients and gets you down to the basics of proper knife control.
However, this is one of many courses out there – both on and outside of MasterClass. If Gordon Ramsay’s style isn’t your thing, or if you want something more specific, there are plenty of other courses on the platform.
For example, Massimo Bottura’s ‘Modern Italian Cooking’ focuses on updating Italian classics for a modern palate. With this in mind, you’re certain to come across something that matches your preferences and cooking style.
Plus, with a MasterClass subscription at only $10 per month you can all these classes together with any of the other 190+ courses available, all lead by globally revered experts in their fields.
That said, there are alternatives to MasterClass. Skillshare offers many shorter courses that are taught by leading experts. Pop sensation Kellis even leads Skillshare’s ‘Creative Cooking’ class, which is a great option for those on a budget.
So, without further ado, read the mini reviews below to get the full details!
Best Online Cooking Classes
1. Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Gordon Ramsay | Course length: 3 hours and 52 minutes
Gordon Ramsay is possibly the biggest name in the culinary industry. With 30+ international establishments. 17 Michelin stars and a string of TV projects, Ramsay graces the screen once again in this two-part MasterClass series.
You’ll learn to:
- Create some of Ramsay’s most iconic dishes
- Make flavor pairings and elevate ingredients
- Train your palate to identify complementary flavors
- Improve your knife-handling skills
- Take your cooking abilities to the next level
Pros:
- Practical, hands-on tips from the master himself
- Clear explanations and general food theory
- Thoughtful ingredients and tactical pairings
- Excellent production values
Cons:
- Some recipes have pre-made components
- Not all ingredients are easy to get hold of
Who it’s for: Anyone who’s a fan of Gordon Ramsay and/or wants to elevate their cooking beyond the basics. It’s also ideal for anyone wanting a better understanding of ‘food theory’ and how to combine key flavors with confidence.
Overall: A well-crafted and insightful course that teaches foundational techniques for you to build upon. Throughout the classes, you’ll gain confidence in taking ingredients into your own hands through expert-taught palate-training and flavor pairings.
You can read the full review of Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass here.
2. Massimo Bottura Teaches Modern Italian Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Massimo Bottura | Course length: 3 hours and 46 minutes
While it’s hard to rival the ranks of Gordon Ramsay, Massimo Bottura is a close-contender. A three-star-Michelin chef and restaurateur, Bottura patrons ‘Osteria Francescana’, which has twice ranked at #1 on The World’s 50 Top Restaurants list!
You’ll learn to:
- Transform classic recipes into exciting dishes
- Develop your palate and knowledge of Italian flavors
- Experiment with traditional ingredients
- Pinpoint the best accompaniments for different dishes
- Implement zero-waste cooking into your routine
Pros:
- Learn valuable info from a top-rated chef
- Enjoyable content and engaging instructor
- Useful tips for embarking on your culinary adventure
- Goes beyond the basics
Cons:
- Less technique-focused than Ramsay’s course
- There are many other free Italian cooking courses out there
Who it’s for: Massimo Bottura fans (or anyone who loves Italian cooking in general!). It’s also a great course for building upon existing culinary knowledge and teaches you to reinvent old favorites.
Overall: An insightful and modern course that balances step-by-step recipe guides with theory-based learning. By enhancing your understanding of Italian flavors, you’ll leave the class with a newfound confidence in putting together impressive dishes.
3. Gabriela Camara Teaches Mexican Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Gabriela Camara | Course length: 3 hours and 26 minutes
Gabriela Camara is a renowned Mexican chef and restaurateur best known for her restaurants, ‘Contramar’ and ‘Cala’. Setting the trends for contemporary Mexican dishes, Camara shares her passion for home-style cooking on MasterClass..
You’ll learn to:
- Make show stopping dishes using simple, local ingredients
- Cook step-by-step recipes like tuna tostadas and tacos al pastor
- Delight loved ones with an update on traditional cuisine
- Understand and master the art of staple ingredients
- Incorporate base elements into new and exciting meals
Pros:
- Strong focus on home-style cooking and local ingredients
- Brings a fresh twist to existing dishes
- Most recipes don’t require hard-to-find ingredients
- Step-by-step guidance on cooking from scratch
Cons:
- Only focused on Mexican recipes
- Not as many recipes as other classes
Who it’s for: This MasterClass is best suited to anyone who loves to cook and/or eat Mexican cuisine. Camara draws from her roots and takes you through her favorite childhood meals – as well as some modern reinventions.
Overall: Camara is an engaging and likable instructor, and her recipes are easy to follow. Unlike some other classes, she mostly uses sustainable, affordable, and easy-to-access ingredients. This definitely makes her cooking more accessible!
4. Alice Waters Teaches the Art of Home Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Alice Waters | Course length: 3 hours and 47 minutes
Alice Waters is a James Beard Award winner, National Humanities medalist, and owner of farm-to-table restaurant, ‘Chez Panisse’. Her mindful approach to cooking hones in on what’s in season, selecting the best quality ingredients, and enhancing natural qualities.
You’ll learn to:
- Select the best seasonal ingredients from farmers’ markets
- Bring the best qualities out of different produce
- Build a winning pantry with staple ingredients
- Eat economically with fresh, local food
- Cook simply and pair ingredients effectively
Pros:
- Learn from a trusted and award-winning restaurateur
- Wide range of ingredients and substitutes
- Eco-friendly and economical choices
- Inclusive cuisine (not just American)
Cons:
- Less attention to gluten-free options
- Some high-end equipment used
Who it’s for: This course is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their home-cooking. Alice Waters focuses on ‘slow food’ and sustainability, so if you’re keen to stick to natural ingredients with minimal additions, this is the course for you.
Overall: Alice Waters’ course is a breath of fresh air which steers away from traditional recipes. Instead, she teaches you how to enhance seasonal ingredients and make your cooking style simpler and healthier.
You can read the full review of Alice Waters’ MasterClass here.
5. Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Niki Nakayama | Course length: 4 hours and 7 minutes
Founder of n/naka (rated ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ in 2019 by ‘Food & Wine’), Niki Nakayama specializes in high-end modern Japanese cooking. Specifically, she focuses on crafting ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course meals) and has made waves by making this age-old cuisine her own.
You’l learn to:
- Add a modern twist to the centuries-old ‘kaiseki’
- Adopt Japanese elements into your own cooking
- Work with a zero-waste approach
- Master eight delicious recipes
- Create food that both looks and tastes wonderful
Pros:
- Learn from a two-star Michelin chef
- Attentive teaching style from Nakayama and her wife
- Tips for incorporating ‘kaiseki’ into home-cooking
- On-screen glossary for new terms
Cons:
- Focuses on Japanese-style cooking only
- Some ingredients are hard to source
Who it’s for: Less suited to the likes of vegetarians or vegans (Nakayama uses a lot of fresh fish), this course is best for anyone who loves Japanese cooking and wants to try their hand at a modern approach.
Overall: Nakayama’s course has generally favorable reviews. With decades of cooking experience (shared between her and her wife), the instruction makes learning engaging and manageable. It also shares a lot of techniques that are Michelin-star exclusive.
You can read the full review of Niki Nakayama’s MasterClass here.
6. Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques I (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Thomas Keller | Course length: 6 hours and 53 minutes
Famed as America’s most decorated Michelin star chef, Thomas Keller brings an impressive near-seven hours of teaching to MasterClass. Not only that, but this is one of three series headed by Keller, which means there’s a wealth of techniques to master.
You’ll learn to:
- Shift focus away from recipes to transferable skills
- Master techniques for cooking vegetables, eggs, pasta, and more
- Elevate your cooking through a range of simple-to-complex classes
- Gain confidence in the basics of cooking
- Understand how and why ingredients work the way they do
Pros:
- Supportive workbook to supplement learning
- Wide variety of food types covered
- Focuses on transferable skills
- Suited to a range of cooking levels
Cons:
- No content page in workbook
- Some ingredients are costly
Who it’s for: As mentioned, this class targets a range of cooking levels, from novice to advanced. So, it’s a great course for anyone interested in learning or building upon their culinary skill set. It’s also largely focused on French cooking, so if you’re a fan of the cuisine, you’re sure to like this course.
Overall: An incredibly in-depth MasterClass, with two follow-up courses, Keller teaches you to shift your entire mindset when it comes to cooking. Instead of sticking to recipes, you’ll grow confident in deviating from the book and experimenting with ingredients through intuition.
You can read the full review of Thomas Keller’s MasterClass here.
7. Wolfgang Puck Teaches Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Wolfgang Puck | Course length: 3 hours and 47 minutes
Award-winning restaurateur and owner of a global catering empire, Wolfgang Puck brings his culinary expertise to a wider fanbase. Considering he also catered to the Oscars, you can be assured that you’re in safe hands.
You’ll learn to:
- Train your taste buds in order to flavor food properly
- Elevate your cooking through seasoning
- Master nine of Puck’s own recipes
- See food in the light of entertainment
- Equip yourself with transferable cooking skills
Pros:
- Learn from a world-class expert
- Fun and engaging classes
- Mixture of recipes and technique-based learning
- Covers a range of transferable skills
Cons:
- Workbook can be hard to follow
- Some of the equipment is expensive
Who it’s for: Puck’s MasterClass is an amazing choice for anyone interested in cooking. But, in my opinion, it’s best for those who have at least a basic understanding of cooking terms. That’s because some of these are used with little to no explanation, so some prior knowledge is assumed.
Overall: Far from being intimidating, Wolfgang Puck teaches his class in a way that’s fun, engaging, and even relatable. The learning never feels like a chore, and the course strikes a good balance between recipes and intuitive-based learning.
You can read the full review of Wolfgang Puck’s MasterClass here.
8. Mashama Bailey Teaches Southern Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Mashama Bailey | Course length: 3 hours and 23 minutes
Mashama Bailey is executive chef and partner of ‘The Grey’ – a Southern restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. Bailey also received a James Beard Award in 2019 for best chef of the southeast, as well as for Outstanding Chef in 2022.
You’ll learn to:
- Make nutritious and flavorful Southern dishes
- Equip yourself with traditional and reimagined techniques
- Better understand the history of African American Southern cooking
- Master classic Southern dishes like succotash, pork shank, and grits
- Recognize the importance (and origins) of each ingredient
Pros:
- Attention to food history and philosophy in the South
- Hearty recipes with step-by-step guidance
- Learn how Bailey got into cooking professionally
- Offers plenty of ingredient options
Cons:
- Focused solely on Southern cooking
- Attention to food history might not be for everyone
Who it’s for: Simply put, Bailey’s course is excellent for anyone interested in African American Southern cooking. You’ll learn to master and recreate classic dishes, from grits to gumbo, and will even learn about ingredients’ origins.
Overall: An insightful and enjoyable course that gives equal measure to hands-on recipes and the history of Southern cuisine. Bailey also takes you through her professional journey, which makes it a valuable watch for aspiring chefs.
9. Yotam Ottolenghi Teaches Modern Middle Eastern Cooking (MasterClass)
Platform: MasterClass | Teacher: Yotam Ottolenghi | Course length: 5 hours and 41 minutes
Perhaps the most renowned chef in Middle Eastern cuisine, Yotam Ottolenghi is a James Beard Award winner and co-owner of seven restaurants in London. He’s also authored several bestselling cookbooks, including ‘Ottolenghi Simple’ in 2018.
You’ll learn to:
- Cook 10+ flavorful Middle Eastern dishes
- Use ‘flavor bombs’ to enhance any dish
- Host guests and stay calm in the kitchen
- Take your cooking from good to great
- Make food a dramatic visual experience
Pros:
- Mouth-watering recipes from Ottolenghi’s own deli
- Clear and supportive instructor
- Versatile recipes that you can take beyond the class
- Great step-by-step guidance
Cons:
- A one-off course rather than a series (c.f. Gordon Ramsay)
- Middle-Eastern focused (might not be for everyone)
Who it’s for: Because of Ottolenghi’s reassuring instruction, I think this course is perfect for beginners. Even the more complex recipes are broken down in a way that’s easy for anyone to follow. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to learn techniques for stress-free hosting and cooking for large groups.
Overall: A fun course in Middle Eastern cooking with a likable instructor and excellent recipes you can take beyond the class. Ottolenghi also imparts some practical tips for hosting and keeping calm in the kitchen, which is useful for professionals and novices alike!
You can read the full review of Yotam Ottolenghi’s MasterClass here.
10. Creative Cooking: Simple Sauces to Elevate Every Meal (Skillshare)
Platform: Skillshare | Teacher: Kellis | Course length: 51 minutes
While most known for her hit song, ‘Milkshare’, Kellis is also a passionate and classically-trained chef. With a love for cooking from a young age, Kellis nourished this talent and interest at Le Cordon Bleu, and now brings her expertise to you at home.
You’ll learn to:
- Master the basics of crafting beautiful sauces
- Build an arsenal of essential utensils
- Understand how and why certain flavors work together
- Recognize what works (and doesn’t work) in sauces
- Transform sauces to make totally different dishes
Pros:
- Clear instruction that covers the whats, whys, and hows
- Down-to-earth and likable teacher
- Designed to be followed along at home
- A real confidence-booster for any skill level
Cons:
- Not as many recipes as other classes
- Focuses on one element of the dish (sauce)
Who it’s for: Kellis’ course is best suited to those who are perhaps a little intimidated in the kitchen. Seeing sauce as the accessory that elevates the dish, Kellis imparts her wisdom on how to bring a dish together by mastering one key component.
Overall: A more ‘focused’ course than some of the others on this list, Kellis’ course is a short but sweet option for those wanting to take their cooking to the next level. Kellis takes you through some of her favorite sauce recipes and even explains how you can tweak them to make an entirely different meal.
What are the advantages of taking an online cooking class?
In short, there are plenty! Such as:
- Adopting a healthier lifestyle through nourishing ingredients
- Learning new skills that can save you time, money, and open new doors for your career
- Connecting with friends and family through delicious meals and making food together
- Finding a new hobby for relaxation, self-improvement, and creativity
- Gaining confidence in taking your skills further either as a hobby or professionally
- Becoming better at time-management, working under pressure, and thinking intuitively
Buyers guide: what to look out for in an online cooking class
Choosing the best cooking class for you can be difficult. So, I suggest taking the below points into account:
- Teacher experience – if you’re investing time and money into a course, you want to make sure the instructor knows what they’re talking about! So, it’s worth looking into the teacher’s background (as well as reading reviews) beforehand
- Cuisine type – is there a specific cuisine you’re keen to learn? Or do you want to master the basics that can carry over into any cooking style? If you love hearty and comforting dishes, taking a high-end-focused class might not be the best option for you
- Develops skills – regardless of your starting point, the best course will leave you better off than when you started. It will also encourage you to build upon those skills further
- Transferable knowledge – the best course won’t just teach you a set of recipes. Instead, it will allow you to transfer skills across a range of culinary contexts. For example, Waters’ and Puck’s intuitive cooking is something you can carry over into any scenario
- Syllabus and skill level – you want to make sure that the course you’re taking is best suited to your skill level. If you’re a complete beginner, you probably won’t benefit from an advanced course
- Price – of course, you want a course that’s in your budget. But, it’s also worth considering the value that course will generate in the long-run. For example, if a course is twice the price of another but is taught by an instructor with ten times the experience, this course could actually be more valuable overall
How much do online cooking classes cost?
Cooking classes vary greatly in price depending on the teacher, course length, and platform. Most of the courses on this list come from MasterClass, simply because the teaching caliber and production values are unrivaled.
For a MasterClass subscription, you’re looking at $10 per month (billed annualy). Bearing in mind that this is about the same as a Netflix subscription, and you’re developing new skills that can take you forward in all areas of life, this is pretty good value.
Plus, the more classes you take, the better the value for money. MasterClass currently has 26 courses for cooking alone. So, with a subscription, you don’t even need to choose one course – you can take them all!
Skillshare, on the other hand, definitely beats MasterClass when it comes to course numbers. With 40,000 courses to choose from, there are easily hundreds of classes for cooking alone. And, because it’s also a subscription site ($14 per month billed annually), you can take as many as you like.
How long do online cooking classes take to learn?
Because cooking is a learned and practiced skill, there really is no timeframe for mastering it. Most courses on this list are around three-to-four hours, with Kellis’ being more of a crash course at just under an hour.
A general rule of thumb is to take the course length and multiply by five to account for practice time. You can follow this guideline as an idea, but the more time you spend going through the recipes (and experimenting) the better you’ll become!
How do we rank our results?
In this article. I’ve ranked the results according to which courses I believe to be the best. Of course, this is subjective, but the factors I’ve considered are:
- Teacher experience
- Provides transferable skills
- Has a strong and varied syllabus
- Is well taught and explained
- Student feedback
- Production quality
- Overall impressions
Where possible, I’ve taken these courses to best determine the content and quality, But, where this isn’t possible, I’ve researched the course thoroughly to get a feel for student feedback and overall impressions.
Conclusion
There’s no shortage of online cooking courses today, all targeted to different skill levels and interests. So the best course for you will depend on your own goals and where you’re at in your journey.
My top pick is ‘Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking I’ because you get to learn from one of today's greatest and create the signature dishes that people pay good money for. Plus, you’ll learn transferable skills that elevate your cooking far beyond the confines of the class.
But, if you are more interested in cuisine-specific cooking, there are plenty to accommodate. For example, ‘Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking’ provides easy to follow instruction and dishes that are visually and gastronomically impressive!
If you’re after a shorter course, Kellis’ ‘Creative Cooking’ is your best bet. Honing in on one element of the dish that brings it all together, Kellis’ exploration of sauces is a great introduction for novice chefs.
As both MasterClass and Skillshare are subscription sites, you can take multiple courses. You can mix and match both cooking and non-cooking courses to get the best bang for your buck, and come away with a well-rounded skill set to build upon.
While the course volume is smaller, I think MasterClass tops Skillshare. MasterClass has consistently high production values (important when following along with tutorials) plus its instructors are globally revered, you get to learn from the best. Whereas on Skillshare, the overall instructor and quality levels can vary.
At the end of the day, the best platform or course for you will depend on your interests, skill level, and goals.
That being said, I hope this list gives you a better idea of which course(s) might be best for you!
Online cooking classes: frequently asked questions
My top pick for the best online cooking class is Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking.
Prices vary greatly depending on platform, course length, and instructor. The classes on this list are on subscription-based websites, which are $10-$14 per month (annual subscription).
As it’s a skill that develops with practice, there’s no time limit for learning. That being said, most courses on this list are around three/four hours. You should also account for practice time!
Rebecca graduated from King's College university with a first class honours in English Language, followed by a Masters' Degree in Eighteenth Century Studies.