Virtual Cooking Classes With Top Austin Chefs

In the pre-pandemic times – remember those? – we spent quite a lot of words telling you how amazing all those Central Market Cooking Classes were, right? And now the COVID-19 situation’s shut down that favorite epicenter of culinary instruction.

My God, it's full of stars ...

But, as if to greatly overcompensate for such a loss, this confounding plague has spawned some learning opportunities that we’d never dared dream of having access to before.

And – the funds raised will go to benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation, that industry-boosting initiative from Chris Shepherd and friends!

Supported by the unstoppable sudsmongers of New Belgium Brewing, this Cookin’ for a Cause program brings together some of the fiercest Austin chefs and restaurant owners, plenty of craft beer, and virtual cooking classes featuring creative dishes to make at home.

You think we’re just hyping with that “fiercest” descriptor? Listen: Daniel Brooks of Licha’s Cantina. Gabe Erales of Comedor. Evan LeRoy, the LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue. Epicerie’s Sarah McIntosh. Jake Maddox of The Brewer’s Table. Jules Stoddart of Olamaie. Fiore Tedesco of L’Oca d’Oro.

Yeah, see? And this live series will be happening on Mondays and Thursdays, from May 4 to June 29.

Checking your schedule already, are you? Seeing if you have the time and the funds to maybe do every single one of these classes? We’re right there with you, citizen! But you can also pick and choose among the opportunities, if necessary.

As the need to support our local industry is ever present, you can purchase meal prep kits or recipe ingredients directly from each of the participating restaurants – or by visiting Salt & Time or SnackShare in the coming weeks for select chef-prepared ingredient boxes. They’ll be able to set you up with what you need to follow along at home.

Visit this part of ATXLoveLocal (and follow @atxlovelocal and @newbelgium_texas on Twitter) for more information on upcoming dishes.

And, hey: Looking for more ways to help? Even if you don’t want to learn how to wow everyone’s palate with the skills you can acquire from these culinary masters? It’s never a bad time to donate to Southern Smoke and continue to spread the word about what they’re doing.