TASTE
Making the Most of the Pandemic Pantry
Through the pandemic , Zoom culinary classes delivered kitchen confidence to home cooks
STORY BY Kate Gonzales PHOTOS BY Debbie Cunningham
When the initial shock of the coronavirus faded last spring , people were stuck at home and left without social outlets , some with more spare time than ever . Those with the luxury of extra hours were encouraged to develop new skills in that unscripted space , and with nearly every restaurant in the region closed for dine-in service , many people turned to online cooking courses .
“ If anything , this pandemic has taught us to get out of your box ,” says chef Ricky Yap , a local chef who runs Homeskool ’ d , a series of interactive cooking classes , with fellow chef Chris Lombardi . “ Virtual cooking classes filled the knowledge gap for those who relied on home cooking .”
These classes also kept people connected at a time of isolation . As Californians faced nearly two years of closures and cautious reopenings , the chefs behind these classes also adapted , adjusting their businesses with the ebb and flow of demand . Their passion for teaching people to be comfortable — even daring — in their own kitchens has stayed consistent .
Shankari Arcot teaches students of all age groups , but especially enjoys teaching younger students .
Online in mind
Before the pandemic , Jeremiah Duarte Bills had considered shifting his Portuguese baking courses online . He enjoyed hosting intimate classes in his home in Sacramento ’ s Pocket neighborhood , but was limited to six to 12 students per session . He was able to cast a wider net when he took his classes to Zoom .
“ So many logistics all of a sudden dissolve when you get going online ,” Bills says . “ I dove in and the response was huge from the get-go .”
28 comstocksmag . com | December 2021