Try virtual cooking classes to engage your clients! Client education seminars are struggling. Even when you offer valuable market insights, getting clients to show up and stay engaged is harder than ever.
What if your quarterly client update could be something clients actually looked forward to?
Virtual cooking classes are transforming how financial advisors connect with clients. Leading firms like Fidelity Investments Canada and MacKenzie Investments have discovered that combining brief market updates with interactive cooking experiences creates events clients love.
The format is simple:
- 20 minutes: Industry expert shares market trends and insights
- 1 hour: Professional chefs lead an interactive virtual cooking class
- Result: Engaged clients, stronger relationships, and memorable experiences
All delivered seamlessly over Zoom (or your preferred platform)
Why Virtual Cooking Classes Work for Financial Advisors
The Client Engagement Problem!
Traditional Zoom seminars face massive challenges:
- Low attendance (15-25% of invitees actually show up)
- Minimal engagement (cameras off, multitasking, early departures)
- Zero differentiation (looks like every other advisor’s webinar)
The Virtual Cooking Class Solution?
Virtual cooking classes solve these problems by:
Driving Higher Attendance – Clients want to participate in something fun and different
Clients engaged in a united task – People engage when they’re actively cooking, not passively listening
Creating Memorable Experiences – Clients remember the event and associate positive feelings with your practice
Scaling Effortlessly – Accommodate 100+ households in one session from anywhere
Meeting Compliance – Educational component with an industry expert satisfies business purpose requirements
How Virtual Corporate Cooking Events Work
The Simple 80-Minute Format:
Part 1: Market Update (20 minutes)
- Industry expert delivers timely financial insights
- Market trends, investment strategies, or planning topics
- Meets compliance requirements for business purposes
- Clients join from home
Part 2: Interactive Cooking Class (1 hour)
- Professional chefs lead live cooking class
- Clients cook along in their own kitchens
- Interactive, engaging, and fun
- Everyone enjoys a delicious meal afterward
Total Time: 80 minutes that feels fast-paced and valuable
Why Financial Services Firms Choose Virtual Cooking Classes
What Financial Advisors Are Saying:
“We’ve tried many cooking studios, however, once we found Culinary Studios, we knew we found the perfect one…..Without question, I would recommend Culinary Studios to anyone.” – Alex, MacKenzie Investments
“The food was amazing and the clients loved it.” – Shirley, Fidelity Investments Canada
“We will definitely be organizing more events with you both in the future.” – Fidelity Investments Canada
Key Benefits:
Dependable – Events run smoothly every time
Clients Love It – Food is amazing, experience is engaging
Scalable – Easily accommodate 100+ households in one evening
Compliance-Friendly – Meets regulatory requirements with expert speaker
Repeatable – Firms host multiple events year after year
Meeting Compliance Requirements
One of the biggest concerns for financial advisors: “Will this be compliant?”
The answer: Yes, when properly structured.
Virtual cooking class events meet compliance requirements through:
1. Industry Expert Component As required by most compliance departments, events include a qualified industry expert who presents educational content on financial topics. This establishes a legitimate business purpose.
2. Educational Value Both components provide value:
- Financial education from the expert presentation
- Practical culinary skills from the cooking class
3. Documentation Easy to document:
- Attendance records via Zoom
- Presentation materials
- Event recordings (optional)
4. Reasonable Cost Virtual events are cost-effective ($***5 per household), comparable to other business entertainment or client appreciation activities.
Talk to your compliance department about how virtual cooking events can fit within your firm’s guidelines. Most advisors find approval straightforward when the educational component is emphasized.
Event Formats for Different Goals
Quarterly Client Engagement Series
Host every quarter for regular touchpoints
Different seasonal menus keep it fresh
Build anticipation and attendance over time
Best for: Client retention and relationship building
VIP Client Appreciation Events
Exclusive invitation for top-tier clients
Premium menu and more intimate group size
Special recognition and attention
Best for: Retaining high-value relationships
Multi-Generational Family Events
Invite clients and their adult children
Connect with next generation before wealth transfer
Fun, inclusive experience for whole family
Best for: Generational wealth retention
Prospect Cultivation Events
Mix of clients (70%) and qualified prospects (30%)
Prospects see happy clients in action
Natural follow-up opportunities
Best for: Converting leads to clients
How Clients Experience Virtual Cooking Events
Before the Event:
- Clients receive premeasured ingredient packs to their doorstep 1-2 days before the event.
- Promotional material or swag can be added to ingredient kits!
- Zoom link and event details sent via email.
During the Event:
- Clients join Zoom from their kitchens
- Cameras on (people love showing their cooking spaces!) or keep it all private!
- 20-minute market update followed by a 1-hour interactive cooking with professional chefs Kirstie & Jody!
- Chef provides tips, answers questions, and guides in real-time.
- Everyone plates their dishes and enjoys together, off camera, with their family or friends.
After the Event:
- Clients receive recipes and presentation materials.
- Many share photos of their dishes on social media
- Follow-up conversations about both food and finances.
- Stronger connection to your practice!
Planning Your First Virtual Cooking Event
6-8 Weeks Before:
☐ Choose your date and time
☐ Partner with a virtual cooking class provider
☐ Book your industry expert speaker
☐ Get compliance approval
☐ Set your budget ($160 per household is typical)
4-6 Weeks Before:
☐ Send invitations to your client list
☐ Create event registration page
☐ Finalize menu selection
2 Weeks Before:
☐ Send The Culinary Studio your spreadsheet with all delivery details (this form can also include any allergies or dietary restrictions).
☐ Send reminder email to your participants.
1 Week Before:
☐ Send final reminders with Zoom link
☐ Confirm all technical logistics
☐ Brief your industry expert on timing
Event Day:
☐ Join Zoom 15 minutes early
☐ Welcome clients as they arrive
☐ Facilitate smooth transitions
☐ Enjoy connecting with your clients!
After Event:
☐ Send thank-you email with recipes
☐ Follow up individually with prospects and interested clients
☐ Measure results and plan your next event!
Why Choose The Culinary Studio for Virtual Cooking Classes!
The Culinary Studio specializes in virtual corporate cooking events for financial services firms.
What makes us different:
Financial Services Experience – We understand your compliance needs and client expectations
Scalability – Seamlessly host 100+ households in one engaging session
Professional Chefs – Expert instruction that keeps clients engaged and learning
Dependable Execution – Events run smoothly, on time, every time
Amazing Food – Dishes clients genuinely love and can recreate at home
Easy Planning – We handle logistics, so you focus on your clients
As our clients at Fidelity and MacKenzie Investments can attest, we deliver exceptional experiences that clients love and advisors trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much do a virtual cooking classes cost? A: Typically $150 per household for 1-hour cooking class plus shipping. This is feeding a family of four!
Q: Do clients need special equipment? A: No. Events are designed for standard home kitchens with basic cooking tools.
Q: How do clients get ingredients? A: You can arrange ingredient kit delivery (additional cost).
Q: What if clients can’t cook or aren’t confident in the kitchen? A: Chef provides clear, step-by-step guidance. Events are designed for all skill levels. Many clients who “can’t cook” surprise themselves!
Q: Can clients just watch instead of cook? A: Absolutely. Some prefer to watch and take notes. Both approaches work.
Q: What’s the ideal group size? A: Virtual events scale beautifully. We’ve successfully hosted 20-200 & over households in single sessions.
Q: What technology do clients need? A: Just Zoom on a computer, tablet, or phone. Most position devices in their kitchen to see the chef while cooking.
Q: How do you handle dietary restrictions? A: Menus can be designed with flexibility, or we can provide alternative ingredient suggestions for common restrictions.
Getting Started
Ready to transform your client education events into experiences clients actually love?
Your Next Steps:
- Define Your Goal – Retention? VIP appreciation? Prospect cultivation?
- Choose Your Date – Plan 8-10 weeks out for best attendance.
- Contact The Culinary Studio – Schedule a free consultation to discuss your vision.
- Book Your Industry Expert – Secure your compliance-approved speaker.
- Invite Your Clients – Send compelling invitations emphasizing both education and experience.
- Execute & Enjoy – We handle the cooking, you build relationships!
Ready to plan your virtual cooking event?
Visit our Team Building Cooking Classes page or contact us today for a free consultation.
Let’s create an experience your clients will love and remember.
