Cook, craft and cocktail your way to happiness at home with these virtual masterclasses!
There’s no greater feeling than making something yourself. And it’s truly extraordinary when surrounded by distant friends, family or even random strangers who are all doing the same thing – that’s the beauty of a virtual masterclass!
Not only do you learn something new, but you also get to experience it in a vibrant social setting, which is necessary right now. Show off your cooking skills to friends, master your brush strokes with family, or knock back a few of your own homemade cocktails with fellow strangers.
Virtual masterclasses are doubly amazing for those with friends and family living interstate. Instead of yarning away on another weekly phone call or video chat, you can spice up your connection by learning something together. If that sounds amazing, it’s because it is!
Tip: If a masterclass doesn’t send kits to certain states or territories, deliver it to your place and then re-send via Australia Post.
Most of these masterclasses can be found on ClassBento, Australia’s leading masterclass platform, but some are rather unique and are not so easily found.
With that said, here are the 12 best cooking, crafting, and cocktail virtual masterclasses around Australia for 2023!
Photographed by Max Nayman. Image via Unsplash.
Making Homemade Gnocchi
Wanting to add a new recipe to your cookbook? Then check out this homemade gnocchi masterclass! It’s an easy-to-follow virtual class that is perfect for beginners, sharing the art of combining flour and potatoes to make fluffy and soft pillows of deliciousness. And, like all good gnocchi, the accompanying sauce is just as important – thankfully this class shares vegetarian mixes to match. Finally, you’ll learn how to store your gnocchi for future use.
Photographed by NatashaPhoto. Image via Shutterstock
Cheesemaking with Omnom
Cheesemaking guru and founder of Omnom, Marly Badia, is bringing a virtual masterclass for fromage fanatics. With over 10 years of cheesemaking experience, Marly will bring you all the necessary insights into creating cheese – from halloumi to feta, and all across the Mediterranean. Each of her classes will show you how to select the right ingredients and run you through a step-by-step guide to whipping up a truly gorgeous cheese at home.
Photographed by Andy Hay. Image via Unsplash
Cooking Authentic Indian
Do you enjoy Indian cuisine, so much so that you wonder what goes into each dish? Well Indian food expert, cook and writer Bhavna Kalra has all the answers. In her regular two-and-a-half-hour virtual Indian masterclass, Bhavna will run you through the history of four popular Indian dishes, learn about the spices that make Indian food authentic and discover insightful cooking techniques. And the best part? You get to eat it all when you’re done!
Photographed by Maria Georgieva. Image via Unsplash
Make a Chocolate Smash Heart
Show a special person how much you adore them with this decadent chocolate smash heart virtual masterclass. A creative way to show your love, this three-dimensional hollow chocolate edible heart can be customised to your ‘hearts’ content, including a delicious mix of chocolate and candy inside, or even sprinkles and edible foil on the outside. With a home-delivered DIY craft kit, as well as a fantastic online cooking instructor, you’ll be smashing your heart in no time with this beginner friendly cooking class!
Photographed by Matthieu Joannon. Image via Unsplash
Handmade Chinese Dumplings
They look like simple little niblets, but there is an art behind making great Chinese dumplings. From rolling the wrapper to creating the best filling you’ve ever tasted, and even the tricks behind cooking it perfectly. We get it, dumplings can be tricky to master, but fear not, kitchen warrior, OATO Kitchen will have you pinching your way to canape glory. Not only will it be a new recipe to add to your weekly eating, but it’s the perfect hors d’oeuvre for your next house party.
Australia’s Best Virtual Crafting Masterclasses
Photographed by Pressmaster. Image via Shutterstock
Pinot & Picasso Virtual Class
Art has never been so fun and frothy at Pinor and Picasso. Offering an online art classes with a 2-hour private virtual art class session and all the necessary gear is delivered to you for free, Pinot and Picasso is the perfect way to connect with loved ones wherever they may be with funky art and delicious drinks. Simply round up a few friends, order a Pinot & Picasso art box, and start painting with one of the best craft masterclasses online!
Photographed by Funlovingukranian. Image via Shutterstock
Sculpt a Human Torso
Having other people’s sculptures showcased in your room is great, but having your own is next level! And why not make it a stunning human torso, which could add that extra level of frivolity to your otherwise beautiful bedroom. Professional sculptor Irina will take you through all the steps to producing a fine torso, with every masterclass hosting an intimate selection of up to five attendees only. They could all easily be your friends and family. Come on, let’s get sculpting!
Photographed by Monkey Business Images. Image via Shutterstock
Creating Candles and Soaps
You could go out and buy your own candles and soaps, but making them yourself is so much better. And thanks to The Candle Warehouse Australia, you can learn all the tricks to making beautiful candles and soaps that smell lush and look divine. Whether that be pillar candles, tealights, or stunning melt and pour soaps, it’s the perfect way to share a virtual afternoon with friends and family, leaving you with a refreshing aroma in your home.
Photographed by Sincerely Media. Image via Unsplash
Watercolour Painting For Beginners
Painting with normal acrylic paint is one thing, but painting with watercolours is far more difficult. The slippery consistency could prove hard to master, not to mention the wild colour schemes. But don’t fret! There’s a virtual masterclass for novice watercolour painters, and it offers clever hacks that give you results fast. Master the art with a group of strangers or bring along your friends and family for a wonderful catchup all whilst learning a new skill.
Australia’s Best Virtual Cocktail Masterclasses
Photographed by Juanan Barros Moren. Image via Shutterstock.
Gin and Whisky Cocktail Masterclasses
Cocktail Porter is a leading cocktail service in Australia. Prior to the pandemic, you could hire one of their bartenders to shake up for an upcoming party. And since the pandemic, they have gone virtual, sharing both a gin and a whisky cocktail masterclass for six or more guests. They showcase a Gin Spritz & Sour Masterclass and a Whisky Highball & Sour Masterclass, designed to develop your cocktail-making skills. And if you’re lacking bar essentials, you can stock up on everything you need from Cocktail Porter as well.
Photographed by Licor Beirao. Image via Unsplash
Cocktail Making and Quiz
Guided by a passionate bartender named Hamilton, you’ll learn plenty of cocktail-making tips and tricks. Master a margarita, top-up a vodka martini, and swirl together a worthy negroni using their perfectly packaged cocktail kits. And, as well as making great cocktails, you’ll get to take part in a fun quiz about the aromas in your kit. This is a great way to shake up your regular chats with friends and family, but you can also join in with fellow random strangers, which is just as much fun.
Photographed by Kike Salazar. Image via Unsplash
Vodka Cocktail Masterclass
Vodka is a safe drink for many of us who have a very rational fear of tequila. And thanks to this vodka cocktail masterclass by ClassBento, you’ll love the clear spirit even more! Become a master of five classic cocktails – Martini, Cosmopolitan, Moscow Mule, White Russian and an Espresso Martini – hosted by the food and drinks experts at Drool. Indulge your taste buds and taste to your heart’s delight with self-made delicious cocktails at this tantalising online class.
Looking for other things to do at home? Keep yourself busy with one of Australia’s Best Delivered Hobby Subscription Boxes for Adults. Or if you’re wanting something more artistic, there are 6 Australian Virtual Art Exhibitions to View Now.
Australia’s Best Virtual Virtual Cooking Masterclasses