During the pandemic, people had the opportunity to explore new interests and old interests in new ways. Two innovations included virtual events and learning, which are here to stay. The Chopping Block embraced the opportunity with creativity in virtual programming that extends to the present with personal instruction and virtual private events.
These cook along classes or demonstrations can include interactive activities such as Q and A time, and polls. Virtual cooking instruction and private events can be planned to reach a wider audience and eliminate geographical barriers.
With regards to cooking specifically, many aspiring chefs have cooking shows they view on TV for learning and guidance. However, the amazing time lapse videos, absence of dirty dishes, and perfectly finished recipes don’t offer a true reality to home cooks who can’t possibly cook as fast and must contend with spills and messes. This is where virtual cooking offers so many benefits worth exploring. Virtual private lessons may be just the answer for aspiring chefs/families/groups seeking recipe exploration, building kitchen confidence, tweaking recipes based on taste preferences and kitchen limitations, and building team relationships.
Virtual cooking mimics real life. If you usually cook with a partner, spouse, or whole family, you can easily do that with virtual cooking. Asking questions in the virtual setting evolves seamlessly and with no awkwardness of when would be a good time or if the question has value that might fester in an in-class format. Typing questions in the chat quickly resolves the “when to ask” dilemma. Virtual cooking easily accommodates any schedule. It is fun to experience the learning, showcasing finished dishes, and eating altogether.
When participating in virtual cooking, you get to work with the ingredients and cooking tools you have. Anything goes… a fork for whisking, a pastry blender or potato masher for making refried beans, your hand or a juicer for juicing. It all works. When not sure if the tool meets the recipe’s needs you get to ask or experiment… what is the worst that can happen? Virtual cooking lets you explore your creative side and extend the cooking to plating using your own cookware. As with all virtual experiences, most people can only manage a limited amount of screen time. This provides an authentic excuse for recipe exploration. I recently turned Pineapple Upside Down cake into Pineapple Upside Down cupcakes to be made within an hour. Why not try something like that this year with a seasonal Apple Upside Down Cake.
For event planning, virtual cooking activities bring a group of people together without anyone having to travel. This heightens the inclusivity and accommodates those not able to get away for health, financial, or other personal reasons. Planning for such an event can easily accommodate dietary needs and preferences with everyone getting to cook what they desire to eat as they normally choose and others benefit from the learning too. For example, some people might want to use whole wheat flour while others use all-purpose as dictated in this recipe for Lemon Oat Cherry Bars. Virtual cooking fosters cool and insightful discussions about regional availability, customs and trends around a food, and price differences.
Though the pandemic mandated the use of virtual events, they have become an effective medium for daily leisure and learning. Explore what The Chopping Block has to offer for you, your friends and family, and your business.
