NOLA Culinary School Is Hosting "Cooking in Quarantine" Lessons on Zoom

Already taken that online quilting class and enjoyed those virtual botanical garden tours? Well, we guess it's about time to cook dinner.

During these challenging times amidst the coronavirus pandemic as our IRL lives shift to the internet, countless small businesses are offering digital platforms for us to be entertained, educated, and enlightened on as we try to maintain a semblance of normalcy. One such outfit? NOCHI (New Orleans Hospitality and Culinary Institute), a non-profit culinary school that will begin offering online cooking classes.

"Now more than ever, food isn't just sustenance; it's a source of comfort and community. COVID-19 has pushed us to think creatively about how we share culinary skills and training, and the 'Cooking in Quarantine' virtual class series is designed to spark inspiration and foster connection in these times of isolation," Leah Sarris, executive director of NOCHI, shared with Southern Living. "The donation-based classes are equal parts 'office hours with a chef' and virtual supper club, and participants can tune in to seek ideas and strategies for healthful, resourceful, and flavorful pantry cooking."

Kicking off this Tuesday, March 24th, the school will offer "Q&A Office Hours with a NOCHI Chef," at 5 p.m. CT on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hosted by Sarris herself, a chef and registered dietitian, tomorrow's session will stream on Facebook Live and feature healthy cooking tips for adults, along with some inspiration for batch cooking and feeding youngsters. Grab a happy hour drink and join her. The rest of the office hour sessions will take place via the Zoom video conferencing platform, and you can register on NOCHI's website here on a pay-what-you-can basis.

Beginning in the next two weeks, family cooking classes will also begin taught by NOCHI's talented chef-instructors. These classes will also take place through Zoom and you can register here. Before the class, participants will get a grocery list of ingredients (many common ingredients and pantry staples will be used to ensure you don't have to do much food ordering, if any), along with the recipe.

Now, if only screens could magically transmit beignets and jambalaya directly to our dining room tables. So who's ready to join us and tune in to the Facebook Live Q&A session tomorrow evening?