Talk to anyone and you know that cooking at home has become commonplace again! Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a tremendous surge in home cooked meals. People are staying closer to home and choosing to take up the culinary arts. This trend will likely continue for the foreseeable future as we brace for the next wave this fall/winter.
The food habits of Canadians have changed due to COVID concerns and it means that home cooking is becoming the norm for families. Increasingly we are seeing people planning for their weekly shopping needs and taking the time to learn to cook from scratch! Home cooking is on the rise and people are learning to cope whether they are naturals in the kitchen or not. As a result, in store and online grocery purchases have soared since the onset of the pandemic. Sobeys parent company Empire Co. Ltd. is continuing to see profits surge. Recently, the Globe & Mail reported that Empire Co. Ltd. (Sobeys parent company) is continuing to see profits surge: “Nova Scotia.-based grocery retailer reported on Thursday that net earnings grew 47 per cent in its first quarter, to $191.9-million, or 71 cents a share, compared with $130.6-million, or 48 cents a share, at the same time last year.”1
When families first started cooking and baking at home, many parents were looking for quick and easy ideas, but now many people are hunkering down and interested in learning how to cook healthy dishes. In addition, more parents are hoping to get their kids in the kitchen to learn some valuable cooking skills. As a result, foodie websites, cooking blogs, cooking videos and online cooking classes are all the rage.
Virtual cooking classes focus on teaching individuals and families about the benefits of home cooking, meal planning, and healthy eating. And what better way to learn to cook than in the comfort of your own kitchen?! Set up your laptop or tablet and connect to your Zoom session and you are ready to roll.
Here’s why we love virtual classes, and we know you will too:
- Convenience - learn to cook in your kitchen; you know where everything is and you can get it all ready beforehand
- Timing - select a time that enables you to learn to cook a complete meal for your family at the end of the class
- Dinner Options - the culinary school creates the menu for you, so you can simply find classes with the most interesting dishes and you just follow along.
- Meal Prep - most of the virtual classes will provide you with a grocery list beforehand so you can shop for all your items at once and you are ready to go.
- Learn from experienced chefs - you and your family will get a cooking lesson in your own home; a great way to get your kids involved in meal preparation.
- Tips and tricks - Feel free to jump in and ask the chefs specific questions and interact with others virtually; they are always happy to share their knowledge with students.
- Ideal for all skill levels - classes are created to help individuals with their cooking skills regardless of their skill level.
About Chef Shai: Inspired by her passion for food and education, chef and teacher Shai Mandel founded Rooks to Cooks with the goal of teaching kids cooking, life skills, and important lessons they can use both in and out of the kitchen. Chef Shai’s student-centered workshops emphasize empowerment, healthy eating, and fun. To learn more about Rooks to Cooks visit: www.rookstocooks.ca
Contact info: Chef Shai Mandel | 833-243-3862 | info@rookstocooks.ca
1 Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-sobeys-parent-empire-sees-profit-surge-says-cook-at-home-trend
