20+ Virtual Experiences and Cooking Classes for CT Food and Drink Lovers

If you’re missing in person cooking classes or simply want to spice up your usual repertoire, Connecticut caterers, chefs, restaurants, shops, and bartenders have the perfect solution: virtual classes! Want to bake a cake? Mix up a cocktail? Cook a savory meal? Get private instruction? Do it as a group? There are opportunities for all of it! Here is a guide to virtual experiences in Connecticut.

Fig Cooking School, Milford

For over a decade, The Fig Cooking School has brought guests together over vibrant and intimate hands-on cooking classes. Now, they’re bringing all the fun and hands-on learning of their in-person classes online, so you can have the full, Fig experience from the comfort and safety of your own home. Classes, available for adults and kids, are kept small to guarantee personalized instruction for each participant. Fig is offering a wide range of classes to fit every budget, interest, and schedule, including classic full-menu classes, themed family dinners, and Quarantine Gourmet, shorter classes featuring items guests are likely to have in their pantries. Themes include Dinner in Rome, Spice Market Mexico, “Pantry Pasta” and Sunday Brunch. For kids 12-17, Fig is also offering weeklong camps each month this summer, with themes like The Great American Road Trip, Holidays Around the World, and Petite Patisserie. Team building, staff appreciation, and other custom events are also available. All classes feature customized instruction and Fig’s signature social atmosphere – a perfect way to “get out of the house” without leaving your kitchen.

Chef Leticia

Leticia Moreinos Schwartz graduated from the Culinary & Pastry Arts program at the International Culinary Center (former French Culinary institute) and worked at Le Cirque, La Caravelle and La Grenouille in NYC. She is the author of three cookbooks and her work has been extensively covered in the media. She has been teaching cooking classes for more than 15 years in some of the most prestigious cooking schools in the country. Ever since “Virtual Learning” became the new normal, Leticia embraced the modality and is teaching VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES for groups as small as two and as big as 200 people. It’s a wonderful experience! Participants arrange a date and time that works for all as well as preferred menu. Leticia sends a shopping and equipment list along with the recipes. Step by step, ingredient by ingredient, cooking matters now more than ever!

Green Palette Kitchen

The Green Palette Kitchen is taking over Zoom with their signature healthy online cooking classes for small groups, Zoom parties or personalized private instruction. Culinary Nutritionist Heather Carey knows a thing or two about healthy eating for yourself and your family. Making sure healthy food is on the table, that everyone will actually enjoy, means knowing the secrets to using the right combination of herbs and spices to make real food taste delicious, as well as having your kitchen set up with the tools for easy cooking. As a nutritionist and chef, Heather infuses healthy food with tons of inspiration and flavor. Cooking lessons are always creative and fun, yet simple enough that you can make the recipes again and again. During this time of staying in, it has become even more important to cook well, eat well and be well, and online classes with The Green Palette Kitchen make it easy to do just that. Simply visit the website to learn more about upcoming classes. Once you sign up, you will receive the Zoom link, easy to purchase grocery list, recipes and any other handouts. Get set to have fun in the comfort and safety of your own kitchen.

Amelia Lord’s Whole Kitchen, Chester

Custom menu planning and personalized distance cooking classes! Follow on instagram @ameliatilord or visit their Facebook page for more info.

Arno Julien

Let the French Private Chef teach you how to make tasty dishes in his online cooking classes!

CTBeer.com

Missing tastings at your favorite local breweries? CTBeer.com has you covered with virtual happy hours, tastings, classes, and more.

Cafe Aura, Manchester

They have launched a section of their website aptly called “Cafe Aura at Home” so that you can learn how to make all of their creations at home.

Culinary Works, New Canaan & Stamford

Follow on Instagram for recipes, tips and techniques, and visit the blog for lots of bonus materials. Also, daily  stories will show how to master everything from Cauliflower Steaks to Grilled Chicken Sandwiches. Lastly, keep an eye out for the IGTV posts highlighting the stories.

Cooking With Christian Petroni, Fortina

Every Tuesday, Chef Christian Petroni can be found on Instagram Live (@fortinapizza) at 6pm demo-ing a different recipe. How it works. Sign up for their newsletter. Get updates on the weekly menu. Purchase ingredients from Fortina by 4PM Sunday, and pick up at Armonk, Rye or Stamford.

Gourmet Galley Catering, North Stonington

In addition to their take-away meals and groceries, you can also purchase cocktail or meal kits. Then, tune in virtually to learn how to use them.

Hartford Flavor Company & Wild Moon Liquors

Every Friday night at 5pm, join them for a Mixology happy hour! They’ll show you how to make your favorite cocktails at home with rotating recipes each week.

Le Banh Patisserie

They are known for their famous desserts and treats! Now, you bring all of that sweetness into your own home with virtual offerings. In their Cake Decorating Event on May 24th, 50% of the sales will be donated to Gifts of Love. Cake, buttercream, and wine will be provided in the kit. and the kit is delivered straight to your door.

Maker’s Kitchen

They used to travel throughout Connecticut and Westchester with in person cooking classes, and now they’ve gone virtual! All classes include a customized menu, a one to 1.5 Hour cooking class, and a Q&A after the class to answer any questions.

Millwright’s, Simsbury

Chef Tyler Anderson will lead a virtual cooking class on May 15. Purchase a kit ahead of time, which includes all the ingredients you will need for an hour long cooking class with Chef Tyler Anderson via Zoom. Pan roasted asparagus with sauce gribiche, Lobster gnocchi with spring vegetables and pesto, and Lemon bars with chantilly cream are all on the menu. Wine add-ons available!

Ordinary & Roia, New Haven

They are teaming up for a Virtual Cocktail & Food Pairing Class on Friday, May 15th at 7:30pm. Cocktails by Ordinary and Food prepared by ROIA! All options will be vegetarian and all kits will be picked up at Ordinary.

Red Stone Pub, Simsbury

Join them on Sundays for weekly virtual cooking classes. Past events have featured dishes like Seafood Stew and Grilled Tuna Loin.

Sanctuary Kitchen @ Cityseed, New Haven

They regularly host virtual cooking classes featuring cuisine from around the world. Visit their Facebook page to see their upcoming events.

Wine 101, Hamden

The 21+ crowd can join them for online classes about wine, cocktails, and more.

Zen Restaurant Group

Check out their Facebook page for the latest announcements about upcoming cooking and mixology classes!

Wine Unwrapped, Shelton

Conducting virtual tastings and wine education classes. Jon Haight will help you take the mystery out of wine. From the ABC's of wine for novices to advanced classes for the wine aficionados, Jon can design a memorable experience for your group.

Vita Pasta Lab

Vita Pasta Lab provides Fairfield County with virtual workshops and homemade, artisanal pasta. Indulge in a night of fresh pasta making or order a homemade meal to enjoy with loved ones.