BEST FOOD AND DRINK COURSES
Nutritionist Amelia Freer has changed the eating habits of Boy George, Sam Smith and Victoria Beckham. On this five-hour course, Freer decodes nutritional theory and offers practical cooking tips and recipes, plus advice on kitchen equipment for eating healthily in an easy and positive way. 30 video lessons, £127.
Bread Ahead bakery in London’s Borough Market was founded in 2013 by chef Matthew Jones, who now hosts online and in-situ baking classes from his light-filled kitchen. Learn to bake a freshly piped box of doughnuts, sourdough pizza, pretzels or bagels. E-learning from £ 25, baking school from £90. breadahead.com
A PASSION FOR PASTA
Pasta Evangelists’ head chef, Roberta d’Elia, is teaching the basics of pastamaking in a series of virtual masterclasses. Learn to make pasta bianche (egg-free pasta) in classic orecchiette and strozzapreti shapes; gnocchi, seafood pasta dishes from the Italian Riviera and herb-infused dough. Beginners pasta school for two, £ 150; masterclasses ( including children’s workshops) from £35.
Discover the wines of the most important producers in the world, explore wines from different countries, regions and grape varieties, or indulge in a tour of fine wines in an online class with West London Wine School. Tasting kits including six 50cl bottles will be sent out in advance. From £30.
Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s twoday diploma in single malt is the only course of its kind – written and delivered by experts, with an SQA-certified qualification for those who pass. The academy also runs shorter virtual courses, including an “introduction to whisky” certificate and a gin school. From £ 25. edinburghwhisky academy.com
If lockdown didn’t turn your loved one into a baker, the Sourdough Club will. Members have access to more than 70 video tutorials, 40 recipes (plus new recipes and tutorials every month), which encourage mindfulness and joy through baking, as well as teaching the techniques to produce the perfect crumb. Suitable for beginners, £199. thesourdoughclub.com