Let’s be honest, 2025 is the year of cooking smarter, not harder.
You’re not just looking for a YouTube video or a “watch-and-hope-it-works” recipe. You’re searching for the best online cooking class, a community of home cooks where you can really learn, connect, and finally master your kitchen without burning through your budget (or your dinner).
At The Culinary Studio, from brick and mortar to teaching the best online cooking class, we’ve spent years teaching thousands of home cooks across Canada and beyond. In this guide, we’ll show you how to pick the best online cooking class that’s fun, professional, affordable, and fits your goals, whether you’re learning the basics, planning a date night, or dreaming of Thai curry perfection.
Who Are We? The Culinary Studio is Jody & Kirstie 🙂
We’re Chef Jody and Chef Kirstie, a duo of professional chefs from Waterloo Region, Canada.
Together, we built The Culinary Studio with one simple goal: To bring back the lost art of cooking. We hear so often that ‘recipes were not passed down’ or ‘I never learned how to cook’. Our life goal? To make your life more delicious! With our bold statement of ‘the best online cooking class’ you can sign up for, we’re confident we can make that happen.
What Makes Us Different
- Chef-Led Learning: We bring real-world restaurant experience into your kitchen, minus the stress and yelling.
- Affordable & Accessible: Our classes are priced for real people, not Michelin budgets.
- Interactive & Fun: We laugh. We spill. We learn together. We often say, we are your new best chef friends. After just one class you’ll have access to TWO chefs with any cooking questions you may have!
- Canadian-Owned: Time zones that make sense, ingredients you can actually find.
- Female Owned & Operated: We’re not only chefs, we’re busy moms, friends, wives, daughters…we get it all, and we create recipes that are right for you!
When you join one of our online classes, you’re not just signing up for a recipe–you’re joining a kitchen full of community, confidence, and great food.
Learn more about us HERE!
2. Why Online Cooking Classes Are a Smart Choice in 2025
Cooking from home has changed—big time. And with tech upgrades, pro instructors, and flexible formats, online cooking classes are now better than ever.
Why They Work:
- Convenience: Join from your own kitchen (pajamas welcome).
- Comfort: No travel, no pressure, no onlookers—just you, your stove, and a pro guiding you step-by-step.
- Affordability: Skip the commute and the fancy classroom; get all the skill for less.
- Connection: Have friends or family in far away places? Join up together on one of our classes! Then hop on your own zoom afterwards to enjoy the meal together. Like a virtual dinner party 🙂
- Confidence: You’ll learn how and why techniques work, not just what to do. Jody LOVES the science behind why we do what we do!
- Organization: There’s a recipe, and then there’s the timing. We always show you the best way to get a meal on the table in a timely manner. You’ll get to know Kirstie’s German efficiency!
3. How to Choose the Best Online Cooking Class (2025 Edition)
Here’s the chef’s checklist to make sure you’re getting the real deal:
Professional Instruction
Look for trained chefs who understand home cooking challenges. But not just chefs. You have to be able to teach as well. That was always our goal. Working in a restaurant was a lot of fun, but our real goal was to teach, and that’s a separate talent altogether.
At The Culinary Studio, we tailor every class to what real home kitchens have, from stoves that run a little hot, uneven pans, and not a sous chef in sight.
Format That Fits You
Live classes = interaction, real-time Q&A, perfect for a date night in, a teen learning to cook, or a quick lunch & learn.
On-demand = flexibility, perfect for busy schedules.
Many of our classes offer both—because life happens. We record all of our ‘Live Online’ Cooking classes and then send out the link right after class. So you can play, chop, pause, eat!
Clear Resources & Great Production
Before your class, you’ll get an ingredient list and our quintessential Cooking Guide. During class, you will see what’s happening clearly with our multiple camera angles, step-by-step instructions, and easy pacing. With our many recaps, No Cook is Left Behind!
Community & Fun
Learning should feel like cooking with a friend—encouraging, approachable, and maybe a little goofy. If it feels intimidating, it’s not the right fit. You’ll get to know us! The best online cooking class in 2025 is a relationship between us and the cook!
Affordable & Valuable
Price should reflect value, not exclusivity. You’re paying for experience, engagement, and results—skills you’ll keep forever.
(See our current class lineup to compare styles and prices.)
4. The Culinary Studio Difference
We know there are countless online cooking class options in 2025. But here’s why ours stand out, if we do say so ourselves!
🎥 Chef-Led, Live & On-Demand
Join real chefs live, or catch the replay anytime. You’ll feel like you’re right at our kitchen counter.
🍳 Hands-On, Not Just Watch-Along
We design classes so you cook with us, not just observe. It’s learning by doing, with guidance at every turn. We’ll ask for your ‘thumbs-up’ as we roll through the session, to make sure you are ready to move on. Or if you’re sipping wine out of a coffee cup, we know you’re good to go!
💬 Real-Time Help
Ask questions mid-simmer. We answer live, troubleshoot with you, and adapt in real time. Throw that screen down and show us your final dish! Or bring your phone over to your frying pan. Honestly, we’ll figure it out!
💰 Affordable
We price our classes for accessibility, not exclusivity. You shouldn’t have to spend hundreds to cook like a chef. After just one online cooking class, you’ll have gained a wealth of knowledge.
🇨🇦 Canadian Expertise
We’re proudly based in Waterloo Region and love supporting local ingredients, time zones, and talent.
(Read more about why our students love us).
5. Choosing Classes for Different Needs
Different cooks have different goals, so here’s how to match your why to the right class type.
❤️ Date Night or Partner Cooking
- Pick live classes for maximum fun and real-time laughs.
- Choose a menu with interactive steps and a show-stopping finish.
Try: “Beef Wellington” or “Make Your Own Sushi Night.”
👨👩👧 Family or Kids’ Cooking
- Look for shorter, high-energy classes that encourage teamwork.
- Ingredients should be safe, simple, and familiar.
Try: “Spaghetti & Meatballs” or “Kitchen Crew, Online Cooking Camp!”
🔪 Basics / New Home Cook
- Choose a beginner series focused on skills, not just recipes.
- You’ll learn why things work: knife skills, seasoning, timing, etc.
Try: “Knife Skills” or “Modern Sauces”
🌎 International Flavours
- Pick global-themed classes that highlight culture and ingredients, aka Take-out At Home!
- We do a lot of research to bring you authentic international flavour, with local twists for the best online cooking class experience.
Try: “Banh Mi Cooking Class” or “Shawarma At Home”or “Pad Thai“
⏰ Weeknight Ease
- Ideal for busy families, the best online cooking class is fast, flavourful & with few dishes!
Try: “Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo“ or “Chicken Teriyaki“
🧠 Healthy Cooking Classes
- Quick, easy and REAL food healthy!
Try: “Miso Glazed Salmon Bowls”, one of our best online cooking class 2025 !
6. Our Top FAQ’s for the Best Online Cooking Class 2025:
Q1: Do I need fancy kitchen equipment?
A: No. You should have a decent stove, a pan or two, basic bakeware and standard tools (knives, chopping board).
The best classes are designed for home kitchens. At The Culinary Studio we emphasise “you don’t need a fancy kitchen or years of experience to cook like a pro.” That being said, we do love quality equipment. Take a look HERE for our recommendations!
Q2: What if I miss a live class?
A: Many platforms (including ours) either offer a recording afterwards or an on-demand version. That’s why we value flexibility.
Q3: Can I cook along or just watch?
A: You should cook along. The best online class is interactive: you see what the chef does, follow along with your ingredients in your kitchen. If it’s purely “watching”, you’re missing the full value.
Q4: What if I have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)?
A: Look for providers who mention substitution guidance, or offer multiple versions. At our studio we support modifications and often include alternative suggestions in the ingredient list. Always happy to have a chat prior to the class! Email us before the class with what substitutions you might need!
Q5: How much does an online cooking class cost?
A: It varies wildly. What matters is value—not just the lowest price. Consider: how many classes? live vs on-demand? included resources? ingredient packs? Our aim: deliver chef-level instruction at achievable pricing.
Q6: Will I improve my cooking skills?
A: Yes! The best online cooking class will focus on skills, not just recipes. At The Culinary Studio we emphasise “learn how to think like a chef” rather than just “make this dish”. blog.theculinarystudio.ca
Q7: Is the time zone an issue (for Canadians)?
A: If you’re in Canada, pick a provider that aligns with your time zone. For live classes, the schedule should be clear. Our studio is based in Waterloo Region and open to all Canada. blog.theculinarystudio.ca
Q8: How do I choose between live and on-demand?
A: Ask yourself: Do I like interacting live and being scheduled? Then go for live. Do I want full flexibility and maybe cook later at midnight? Then pick on-demand. If the provider offers both, you get the best of both worlds.
7. Final Checklist + Encouragement
Here’s your quick checklist when you’re about to click “Enroll”.
- ✅ Instructor experience & home-kitchen focus (yep, that’s us!)
- ✅ Format fits your life (live or on-demand)
- ✅ Clear resources (ingredient list ahead, step-by-step guide)
- ✅ Community or interactive element (follow us on socials to really get to know us!)
- ✅ Aligns with your goal (date night, basics, kids, international, quick dinner)
- ✅ Affordable and clear value
- ✅ Time zone / shipping (if applicable) are Canada-friendly (if you’re in Canada)
- ✅ Reviews / social proof check
- ✅ What happens after class? Will you have replay access, recipe, practice path? Yes you will, along with a direct line to your new Chef Friends for life!
And here’s the encouraging part: Once you commit, you’re investing not just in a dish, but in your confidence. You’re moving from I hope I won’t mess up to I got this. And that’s exciting.
In 2025, the kitchens of home-cooks like you are evolving faster than ever, with better online cooking class options, better tools, better outcomes. You don’t need to wait for a big change; pick a class, sign up, show up, then watch your cooking game shift.
At The Culinary Studio, we’re ready to show you what the best online cooking class is really about. If you’re ready to cook smarter, eat better, and have more fun in the kitchen, let’s go.
8. Closing
Thanks for reading this guide on how to choose the best online cooking class in 2025. You now have the roadmap, you know what to look for, and you know how we at The Culinary Studio bring value. So pick your goal! Whether it’s an easy weekday dinner, cooking with kids, or mastering global cuisine, choose a class, show up (with your favourite apron!), and start enjoying the journey of cooking at home.
Let’s get cooking, 2025 is your year to shine in your kitchen!
Ready to cook? To join an upcoming “LIVE ONLINE” cooking class click HERE!
Easing into it? Click HERE for our “ON-DEMAND” cooking classes!
For more on how to choose the best online cooking class, Read our Comprehensive Guide to the Best Cooking Classes Online Canada HERE!
