As well as in-person experience, you can host online ones. More often than not, hosts choose to host online cooking classes. This article covers the following:
What are live online cooking classes?
45-60 min video classes or workshops with a live demonstration led by yourself (the Eatwith host) as the teacher, with participants (the Eatwith guests) who follow your instructions during the class
The online classes will be created as an online experience
The online classes will be booked as an experience on the Eatwith platform, based on your calendar's availability
For each class, you will send your guests a Zoom link
How to create an online class on the Eatwith website?
Follow these steps to submit your online Eatwith experience for review:
Go to My Experiences and click “create a new experience”
Click the “Description” tab to add the title and event details. Be sure to mention that this is a live online class
In the experience description box, introduce the class and share information about how it will be conducted. Tell your guests what they will make, how many courses etc.
You can adapt and add to this sample text: Learn how to make traditional Ravioli from scratch with a fresh seasonal sauce, followed by one of Italy's most famous desserts - Panna Cotta with fresh fruit syrup. Your online host, Maria, will demonstrate the process step-by-step and provide personalized cooking tips. This is an interactive workshop, so feel free to ask questions throughout. After the class, you'll be able to enjoy what you prepared and get to know your host some more. The class will be conducted via Zoom at X:XX (Timezone) and you will receive a link to the call after booking.
4. In the Menu section make a list of all ingredients, their quantities, alternatives, any before-the-class preparation and the kitchen tools needed to participate. See below:
5. In the address section, add a new address for your city/state. Paste your Zoom meeting link into the 'Additional Info' section and Title the address as "Zoom" for your online experiences.
6. Turn Instant Booking on
7. Click "Submit for Review". Our Community Team will review your experience for any edits before publishing it live online.
How to design an online cooking class?
When planning your online cooking class, there many things to think about and take into account. Here are our suggestions:
Foolproof recipes: Teach recipes that you feel 100% confident with and that you personally love.
Skill level: Is your recipe good for a beginner or are you aiming for intermediate or even advanced cooks? Some techniques could be harder to teach over video. Remember, your hands will be full and moving the camera mid-class to zoom in may be difficult. Keep this in mind as it will affect how much you'll need to explain certain steps and subjects.
Equipment: Be thoughtful of what equipment your online guests might or might not have at home. For example, a “101 pasta” cooking class should address people who don’t necessarily have a pasta making machine at home and will need you to explain the very basic pasta you can make at home without a machine.
Accessible Ingredients: With the developments of COVID 19, some ingredients are harder to get than others. Be sure to select a recipe with common or easy to get ingredients
Technical things to think about and check in advance
Location(s) of cooking and what will the frame include? Will you be demonstrating everything from the very same spot? Consider this in advance so you can plan the angels you will shoot from.
Internet connection and audio check - strong wifi connection (make sure not to download/upload files during the class as it can slow your connection) and high-quality audio check are super important. Record yourself cooking and talking with the camera in the same position as it will be during the class to check whether you sound loud and clear enough.
Lighting - make sure there’s enough light. Don’t trust your eye, you should check this on your camera too.
Lens cleaning and battery charging - Just like you're cleaning your glasses for a clear vision, make sure your camera is clean and that you have enough battery to last throughout the class.
Equipment check - Make sure you have all the kitchen tools needed.
Deciding on your class rules
You are the host and teacher, make sure your guests understand and follow the “Do’s and Don'ts” so that the session runs as smoothly as possible.
You can use some of our rules:
Recommend that participants who have never used Zoom before join a few minutes early and ensure the class starts on time.
All participants are on mute as a default
Whenever someone has a question, they can unmute themselves or write the question in the chat
The class will start on time - if a guest has any technical issue or struggles to connect they must text/call the host
Recording of the class is not allowed without the host’s permission
Class planning - step by step
When planing your class, you should start from the very beginning. Don’t miss any step until saying goodbye to the group.
Below is our sample schedule for a 1 hour class. Keep in mind that the schedule should include 10 minutes of questions or any extra time it might take for the group to follow the instructions.
*We HIGHLY recommend you to do a demo event with a friend and record it (see here how to record on ZOOM) so you can learn from it and make the needed improvements!
00:00-03:00 The first 3 minutes will be mostly around waiting for everyone to connect. Make sure they see you and hear you.
03:00-08:00 Introduce yourself briefly and ask your guests for their names. This is also the time to let them know your ‘Class Rules’ e.g they will all be muted to avoid background noise and if someone wants to ask a question they can unmute themselves.
08:00-10:00 Explain the dish and the steps that will be followed during the class.
10:00-12:00 Allow 2 min for everybody to wash their hands and get their set up ready.
12:00-15:00 Dish 1: Step one, first demonstration of xxx + the guests do it
15:00-20:00 Dish 1: Step two, demonstration of yyy + the guests do it
20:00-30:00 Dish 1: Step three, demonstration of zzz + the guests do it (dish going in the oven for 20 min)
30:00-35:00 Dish 2: Step one, first demonstration of xxx + the guests do it
35:00-45:00 Dish 2: Step two, demonstration of yyy + the guests do it
45:00-50:00 - Check on Dish 1 in the oven and start Dish 2 “Step three”, demonstration of zzz + the guests do it
50:00- 57:00 - Dish 1 comes out the oven and plating, Dish 2 plating.
57:00 onwards- Tasting together, time for questions and goodbye speech.
What to communicate 24h before the class?
We recommend sending your participants a group message before the class that includes:
Recipes so they can know what to expect
Start time
Class rules
A warm final note expressing you’re excited to virtually meet them soon and cook together
What to communicate after the class?
We recommend sending your participants a group message after the class that includes:
Thanking them for attending the online class and offering them to share photos of their dishes on social media along with a link to your online experience
Ask for honest feedback
Did the class meet your expectations? If not, why?
Do you feel like you had enough time to follow the instructions?
Do you feel that the explanations were clear enough?
Anything you’d like me to know so I can improve my class?
Here's a checklist you can refer to to host the best online experience!
☑️ Pre event message sent
☑️ Kitchen is cleaned and organized
☑️ Mise en place - all ingredients and kitchen tools are ready
☑️ Camera/phone lens is clean, internet connection + audio is good
☑️ Eatwith apron is clean
☑️ Your hair is up or out of your face
☑️ You have drinking water nearby
☑️ Your phone is on silent mode and so are other phones in the house
☑️ After event message sent