Discover the Best Knife Skills Classes Online
Do you love cooking? Or want to but don’t? Learning knife skills could be a great first step to becoming the chef of your dreams.
Knives date back to prehistoric times, although they were created from bone at that time. These bone knives made it easier for hunter gatherers to remove animal meat and crush their foods to mix together.
Metal knives came around fairly early as well, during the Romano-British period between 43 AD and the fall of Rome in the fifth century. Like many tools at that time, knives were a luxury for the rich— many times guests didn’t even have access to cutlery when they went to a banquet.
Knives were used for other tasks in everyday life, though, and both men and women carried one around on a regular basis. As utensils became more widely used, people began to carry knives around less, although pocket knives remain a staple. Hunting and fishing communities tend to carry knives to help them complete tasks of the trade as well.
As part of the cutlery category, knives are grouped with razors and scissors— objects used to cut items such as consumable goods and meats. Learning knife skills means:
- Understanding basic safety procedures
- Practicing how to hold food and properly grip the knife
- Knowing how to stabilize your cutting surfaces
- Taking care of your knives, such as sharpening and honing
- Researching and using the correct terminology
It’s likely helpful to know that there are many different types of cutting. Some of the most common terms you’ll hear include chopping, dicing, slicing, mincing, julienne, and chiffonade.
Why You Should Learn Knife Skills Online
Knife skills may not have appeared on your radar as a particularly fun or interesting practice; however, if you like cooking, they’re skills you should consider learning. Plus, learning how to properly use some of the most versatile tools in your kitchen will elevate your homemade food. Not to mention, your friends and family are likely to love indulging in your fabulous cooking.
If you prefer to dine alone, learning knife skills will make you feel accomplished and knowledgeable about the foods you’re putting in your body. Even if you’re the only person who ever sees your new skill in action, you can rest assured knowing that learning was a nice thing you did for yourself.
For those wanting a career change, knife skills could be a great start down a new path. To do any job in the food service industry, whether you aspire to own a restaurant or work as a chef, you’ll need to know the tools of the trade and how to use them.
Virtual Knife Skills Classes
Using knives requires hands-on practice. Even if there aren’t in-person classes near you, there are many courses you can take online. Taking online knife skills classes can be convenient because you can attend from home (or anywhere else with a strong wi-fi connection) and you won’t have to worry about traffic. You can also choose from a wider selection of special skills and topics, plus use your own tools that make you feel comfortable.
You do generally have to provide at least some of the materials and equipment for virtual courses, but that can be a good thing, especially if you have dietary restrictions or specific preferences. Many courses provide main ingredients, or part of the required material for class. It’s worth looking into when you browse for courses you want to take.
To get a feel for the basics, consider courses like Knife Skills 101 by Home Cooking New York. The chef will show you the correct way to purchase, use, and care for your knives, especially the chef’s knife— one of a kitchen’s most useful tools. As you learn, you’ll make a savory minestrone soup to celebrate your new skill.
You’ll need to purchase a few vegetables, a chef’s knife, and a knife sharpening stone (or a knife sharpener). Don’t worry, though, when you register for class, they’ll send you a list of what exactly you need and the quantities. You’ll also receive instructions for how to participate in class. This course may be virtual, but that doesn’t mean it won’t still be hands-on— you’ll be practicing the skills as you learn them.
If you’re looking for a way to practice your newly learned skills, consider joining a cooking class like Argentinian Cooking Online #2 with Mirta by The League of Kitchens. During this culturally rich and exciting cooking class, you’ll learn to make skirt steak and chimichurri sauce from Mirta’s family recipe. Roasted potatoes with fresh herbs and a hearty veggie salad will take the meal to a new level. At the end, you’ll be able to enjoy the fabulous fruits of your labor, including well-cut vegetables and perfectly cooked steak.
When you sign up for class, they’ll send you a shopping list including ingredients and tools you’ll need to participate fully in the class. When your class time arrives, all you have to do is show up and have fun learning and cooking.
Private Online Group Knife Skills Classes
Want to schedule a knife skills class as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? Or perhaps a cooking class where you can make and enjoy the food together? CourseHorse has a good selection of online knife skills classes for private groups.
During this Virtual Knife Skills Workshop, you can drum up a friendly competition within the group. Whether someone is learning for the first time, or they’re a proficient cook, this hour-long workshop is a fun way to learn new and useful skills.
You’ll need a few ingredients and tools to participate, including a chef’s knife, cutting board, and vegetable peeler, along with basic vegetables. When you sign up for class, everyone will receive a list of what they need to participate.
When you sign up for a private group through CourseHorse, there aren’t any booking fees, and you’ll receive a confirmation for the group within 24 hours. If you want to customize your experience, you can add games, activities, or even additional expert help for a $150 fee.
If you’re not sure how many people will be able to participate, that’s no problem. You can book with the minimum of ten participants and update your roster when you confirm a final headcount. With a capacity for up to 500 people, you’re sure to have room for everyone to join.
In terms of technology, CourseHorse does recommend Zoom, but they can support other video service platforms like Microsoft Teams, too.
Have questions? Want to request a demo? Simply reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website. It’s easy, and they would be happy to talk through options for your group.
Online vs. In-Person Knife Skills Classes
When considering whether to take in-person or online classes, there are some considerations to take into account:
- Do you learn best in familiar spaces? Or do you enjoy being in a new space learning new skills?
- Is it more important to be out in your local community? Or would you rather join an online class where you could meet people you probably wouldn’t meet in your community?
- Will you get overwhelmed learning in-person with many other people in class around you? Or distracted by kids, pets, and/or the cleaning you keep putting off at home?
- Are you looking for a general introductory course? Or a more specialized class that may not be available in-person in your area?
- How experienced do you want the instructor to be, and what kind of credentials (if any) would you prefer they have?
The bottom line for any kind of course is that you need to be comfortable to learn well, if a little bit outside of your “usual” comfort zone. It may feel more natural to learn online first and then attend an in-person class when you’ve practiced a little. You may want to immerse yourself fully in a new adventure by learning with a group in a new place at an in-person class. There are pros and cons to any class— take your time to consider your options before making a decision.
Can I Learn Knife Skills for Free Online?
The short answer, like most skills in the digital age, is: yes. That being said, YouTube videos and TikTok tutorials probably won’t get you far. In order to get quality experience and be truly proficient, it’s best to learn from an expert who’s been in the field. Not to mention, you won’t have to second guess if you’re learning something correctly or if it’s simply a trend.
