Free Online Classes for Chefs: From Science to Food Safety

If you're a professional or aspiring chef in quarantine right now, you might find yourself with some spare time to commit to honing your skills and expanding your specialist knowledge.

Looking around the web there are plenty of chef courses available online and while professional schools can charge high course fees there are also a number of fewer committal options that are equally attractive when you want to dip in and out of the classroom!

With that in mind, we've put together a list of free courses for chefs currently available online, from an enticing Harvard University course on the Science of cooking to specialist food safety courses. 

Remember, if you want to walk away with a certificate following the course, check the training company or school is accredited.

Free online courses for Chefs

edX 

edX is a great resource listing a number of food and nutrition courses by different institutions, from all-rounders like "Food Ethics" to more specialized courses like "The Science of Beer Brewing." 

For those chefs who really want to dive deep into the science behind cooking and haute cuisine, there's also a a free six-week online course with Harvard University and entitled ‘Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (chemistry).

Find out more here.

Smart Kitchen

Smart Kitchen is offering a two week free trial period to try out their video & text lessons that lead to a hands-on "Practical Application" of the information covered.

The lessons vary from beginner to intermediate and advanced, allowing more experienced cooks to hone their skills in more technically advanced recipes.

World Chefs Academy - Pre-Commis Chef Training Program

If you're toying with the idea of working in the restaurant trade, try getting a feel for what lies ahead! This free online course through the WORLDCHEFS Academy portal offers subscribers 6 months to complete all modules in the program.

The program is designed to give access to a foundation level for culinary education, providing the basics that set the standard for an entry-level job in a professional kitchen.

Milk Street

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Cooking School, are offering over a dozen online cooking classes for free, from skills and techniques to cooking specific ingredients. Each course comes in clear bite-size pieces, easy for dipping in and out of at leisure. Even though they're not designed specifically for professionals, there's enough scope to plug a few knowledge gaps and come away having learned something new.

Find out more here.

Serve Safe

Alongside all hands-on training that comes with cooking, there's always plenty of health and safety to brush up on, especially with specific measures in place for food production during the coronavirus pandemic. Serve Safe are offering some free food safety and career development training and resources including a ServSafe Takeout and Delivery: COVID-19 Precautions course and a ServSafe Food Handler course.

Rouxbe

This online learning platform is offering free 30-day membership. Using a combination of video, assessments, and instructor interaction, students are able to advance their culinary skills and knowledge any time, anywhere and on any device delivered by a team of world-class chef educators and former culinary school executives.

Online Degree - cooking- introduction to culinary skills

If you are just starting out in this industry this foundational culinary skills course is a good introduction, or for anyone looking to elevate their cooking to delicious and impressive meals.

Twenty four online lessons allow students to learn at their own speed with a focus on Classical French terminology and technique. Students will also learn to properly care of kitchen tools and equipment as well as develop confidence in a kitchen space. Also addressed is the order of operations, time management, and patience.

Top Chef University

With the Top Chef University app, you'll learn professional cooking techniques and food preparation methods beyond just recipes from 11 of the most successful Top Chef chef contestants. The app downloads with access to 28 hand-picked lesson videos containing over 3 hours of instruction to get you started.

Personal chef course - Personal Chef Certificate Course Online

Last chance to sign up for this 6-week part-time course today - which isn't free - although there is a special offer! If you've ever thought about becoming a professional personal chef this part-time online course you will learn important principles and practical step-by-step techniques for preparing customized meals and getting started in your career.