Looking for the perfect gift for the fabulous foodie in your life? Consider one of these fun and educational virtual Food Tastings or Cooking Classes for a unique and one-of-a-kind gift!

Scroll down for the Holiday Gift Guide: Virtual Food Tastings and Cooking Classes or PIN IT for later!

With the holidays upon us, it is time for our annual holiday gift guides! I love putting these gift guides together and carefully curate themed lists and select a wide variety of items to cover every foodie on your list!

This year is no exception, except this year, I’m branching out on my gift guides and sharing a few gift guides that are a bit more unique.

Earlier this month we shared our Gift Guide for Tea Lovers and now we are sharing our Food Tastings and Cooking Classes gift guide! I am a firm believer in gifting experiences over things and gifting a food tasting or cooking class is a fantastic gift idea!

Under normal circumstances, most of these classes and tastings are held in-person, however, for 2020 they have been moved to virtual classes. Not only has this pivot been crucial for these small businesses to survive, I personally think it is brilliant, since most of these classes/tastings ship the product, so this means anyone, anywhere (in the US) can participate, no matter where the small business is actually located.

These would be a great gift idea for an individual or a team or company virtual holiday party. Not only that, these virtual classes and tastings make great at home date night ideas and you don’t even have to get a babysitter!

What are virtual food tastings?

For the food tastings I am sharing below, an industry expert (cheese monger, chocolatier, wine maker) walks students through tasting of the products while sharing tasting notes, information about the wine/cheese/chocolate/etc. making process, food pairings, information about the ingredients used, etc. Since many of these food tastings are live virtual events, they allow for questions during the class or at the end of the presentation. These food tastings are fun and VERY informative.

What are virtual cooking classes?

For the virtual cooking classes, students are typically emailed a list of ingredients and recipes before the class is to take place and then the instructor walks you through how to prepare each recipe as you make it in the comfort of your own home. Unlike watching an online cooking video or cooking TV show, with virtual cooking classes you can usually interact with the instructor and ask questions along the way or at the end of the presentation.

Without further ado, below are some fantastic cooking classes and food tastings that would make a fun, unique and educational last minute holiday gift!

Holiday Gifting Tip: While gifting an experience like this obviously makes a wonderful gift on its own, I always try to package the gift in a creative way. Whether I wrap the gift card, class voucher, etc. in a pretty reusable box, reusable bag or simply put it in a beautiful holiday card, taking the time to present the gift card/voucher in this way adds to the uniqueness of the gift.

You can also gift the class by giving it as part of another gift. For example, for the cheese tasting class, I might wrap the printed gift card/class voucher for the cheese tasting class with a beautiful set of cheese knifes or a personalized wooden cheeseboard.

Virtual Food Tastings:

Delysia Chocolatier Chocolate Tastings – Delysia Chocolatier offers virtual chocolate tastings which are led by owner and chocolatier, Chef Nicole Patel. Each specialty themed tasting comes with 4 hand crafted chocolate truffles in a variety of flavors to match the theme of the class. During the tasting Nicole walks you through the chocolate making process, how to taste the chocolates and more. 

More Info:

• Private group tastings available
• Offers nationwide shipping
• Price: $15-$145

Antonelli’s Cheese Shop Cheese Tastings – Antonelli’s Cheese Shop offers a variety of virtual cheese tasting classes taught by the owners, cheesemongers, cheese makers and more. Some classes just cover the cheese making process and tasting notes, while other classes go more in depth with a behind the scenes look with heard managers and cheese makers. Some classes are cheese pairings with the cheese paired with everything from cookies to candy to wine and beer. 

More Info:

• Private group tastings available
• Offers nationwide shipping and curbside pickup available at the stores in Austin, Texas
• Price: $30-$40 per person

William Chris Vineyards Wine Tastings – William Chris Vineyards holds virtual wine tastings once a month on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. These tastings are hosted by William Chris co-founder, Chris Brundrett and his wife, Katharine. While you can view the class for free online, they will walk you through the tasting of four of their wines, which can be purchased in a tasting pack in advance for $140 and shipped to your home.

Photo via Con’ Olio

Con’ Olio Oils and Vinegars Tastings – The olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting class at Con’ Olio will teach students about the history, production and health benefits of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. In addition, the class will pair the oils and vinegar with artisanal bread, cheese and more.

More Info:

• Private group tastings available
• Curbside pickup available at the stores in Austin, Texas and national shipping available for private group classes
• Price: $40 per person

Cooking Classes:

Define Foods – Taught by Natural Foods Chef and Fitness Expert, Erin Stewart, these virtual on demand cooking classes focus on healthy recipes and cooking techniques. Each class includes pre-recorded video instruction, ingredient shopping list and recipes. 

More Info:

• Private group classes available
• Price: $15-$35

Make It Sweet – Texas based baking supply store, Make It Sweet, is known for it’s hands-on baking, cake decorating and cookie classes covering a wide range of topics from Fondant 101, to Cake Pop Decorating and even kids’ cookie decorating classes. These classes have all been moved online and are available in two different packages –

1. A full package class which includes a kit full of tools, supplies and ingredients to participate in the class. This kit is available for pick up in their store in Austin, Texas.
2. Or, a $10 course only option, where people get their own supplies and tools and then take the class with all of the pre-recorded lessons and instruction.

More Info:

• Price: $10-$45

Kitchen Underground – Kitchen Underground is another company that traditionally offers hands-on, in person cooking classes that has now transitioned to online classes. Unlike the other cooking classes shared above, Kitchen Underground virtual classes are live, so you have the opportunity to cook along and interact with the chef instructor.

More Info:

• Price: $35-$80

Photo via The Paper + Craft Pantry

If you know a foodie that also has a passion for the arts, consider one of these classes below!

Other at Home Classes/Workshops:

The Paper + Craft Pantry – The Paper + Craft Pantry is stationary store that also sells premade crafting class kits. While these kits range in topics from candle pouring, to embroidery and stamp making; they do occasionally have food themed crafts, like this D.I.Y. Mini Baked Good Keychain Painting Kit, that would be a fun hands-on activity for any foodie!

More Info:

• Shipping available nationwide
• Price: $35-$125

My Little Paint Brush – Like The Paper + Craft Pantry, My Little Paint Brush offers paint kits that includes everything needed, including online instruction, to create a masterpiece. These kits are available for pick up at their store in Lehi, Utah and they can also ship the kits nationwide.

They also offer virtual painting classes where you can purchase the supplies on your own and participate by watching an online video tutorial. While they have a variety of painting classes covering a variety of subject matters, they have quite a few food themed classes which would be fun for any food enthusiast.

More Info:

• Shipping available nationwide
• Price: $12.50-$70

Note: This post is not sponsored. I’m simply sharing some of my favorite small businesses that offer great products/services!