2020 Virtual Cooking Classes

Don't be afraid to take whisks!

I guess you could say that is my new business approach (especially this year)!

As you can imagine, a lot of my business ideas didn't take place this year like I had originally planned. Instead, I rolled with the punches and started figuring out how to adapt. I first started with my Shelter-in-Race Virtual 5k, 10k, 15k, or Half Marathon and a few months later added in the Stars & Strides 5k because I loved feeling connected to others even while we couldn't physically be together. That gave me another idea...

Knowing so many people were home spending more time trying to figure what to eat while in quarantine, maybe never cooked before but wanted to learn, or just wanted a fun event to look forward to - I created my new virtual cooking classes! 

I figured if everyone is home and looking for things to do and food to eat, why not make it a fun activity?! My husband (Josh, AKA my sous-chef) and I always watch Food Network so I thought it would be exciting to not only show people how to cook (virtually) but to actually do it with them at the same time! We also thought this would be a great time to show people that you can still eat delicious food without having to order out all the time AND eat healthy, well balanced meals (with a few treats included)!

Every month I provide the recipes with the corresponding grocery list so all you have to do is order your groceries and then follow along with our instructions! The class takes place through Zoom and averages about an hour and a half long. I usually start with a cocktail so we can sip as we cook together. During the class you will be muted with the option to un-mute yourself to ask any questions. It is encouraged to be interactive; we usually cheers after we make our drinks and then take a group picture with our final meal! You can then enjoy your meal on your own afterwards (feel free to post about it and tag @elenamccown on social media)!

All meals can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian. Please let me know if you have any other special considerations and I can cater the recipe to your individual needs. The meals serve 4 but can easily be multiplied or divided based on how many people you will be cooking for/with. The classes are designed to be fun yet helpful with simple healthy cooking tips and tricks. This is a great event for beginners or advanced home cooks! Join us!

So far, all of the classes have been a hit! The meals and drinks have been delicious and now the participants have the recipes and knowledge on hand to pull from and make on their own. There are some participants who cook solo, some who use it as a date night and others who make it a family affair - there is a little something for everybody.

The list below is all of the classes that have been taught previously and the ones that are planned for the rest of the year.

Taco Party

Pasta Night

Cupcakes & Coffee

Cupcakes & Coffee

Banh Mi Bowls

Summer BBQ Salad

Fall Fiesta

Spice is Nice

Comfort Classics

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Christmas Cookie Decorating

​April- Taco Party: Turkey Tacos and White Bean Guacamole with a Fresh Margarita
May- Pasta Night: Vegetarian Stuffed Pasta Shells and Tomato Cucumber Salad with an Aperol Spritz
June- Cupcakes & Coffee: Hummingbird Muffins with Tahini Frosting and a Coffee Soda
July- Banh Mi Bowls: Banh Mi Noodle Bowls with Pork Meatballs and a Coconut Fizz
August- Summer BBQ Salad: BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad with Skillet Cornbread and a Peach Shrub
September 25 (6pm-7:30pm)- Fall Fiesta: Cuban Picadillo with Ground Beef (or Jackfruit), Beans and Rice with Plantains and a Maple Mojito
October 24 (5pm-6:30pm)- Spice is Nice: Curry with Shrimp (or Chickpeas) over Sweet Potatoes and Raita served with Naan and a Spiced Mule
November 21 (5pm-6:30pm)- Comfort Classics: Chicken Pot Pie with Apple Cider Sangria
December 12 (5pm - 6:30pm)- Christmas Cookie Decorating: Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies with Frosting and a Charcuterie Tray with a Holiday Old Fashioned

So, let's make lemon pie out of lemons. Life is what you bake it after all!

$20 per household. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for event invites to each cooking class.

Sign-up today to secure your spot by clicking on the links below.

After you register, the week before class starts, you will receive an e-mail with a list of ingredients so you can buy your groceries and prepare ahead of time, as well as the Zoom meeting information! See you then!

Register for each class by clicking Add to Cart. By clicking Add to Cart you agree to the Agreement, Waiver and Release below.

*Dates, times and menus are subject to change.

​Hold Harmless Agreement, Waiver and Release

In consideration of being permitted by Elena McCown, LLC to participate in a virtual cooking class, I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for damages or personal injury, death, or property damage which I may have or which may hereafter accrue as a result of my participation in said activity. This release is intended to discharge, in advance, Elena McCown, LLC, its officers, directors, members and managers, and all other members of its virtual cooking school staff whether contracted, employed or related, from and against any and all liability arising out of or connected to in any way with any participation in said activity. I understand that the activity that I am participating in may be of a hazardous nature and/or include physical and/or strenuous activity, that serious accidents occasionally occur during the said activity; and that participants in the said activity can occasionally sustain personal injuries as a consequence thereof. I also recognize that all people react to food differently and I will avoid the foods that I know I am allergic to and will ask for substitutions when necessary. Knowing the risks involved, nevertheless, I have voluntarily applied to participate in said activity, and I hereby agree to assume any and all risks of injury or death and to release and hold harmless Elena McCown, LLC, its officers, directors, members and managers, and all other members of its cooking school staff whether contracted or employed, or related, who might otherwise be liable to me. I further understand and agree that this waiver, release and assumption of risks is to be binding on my heirs and assigns. I hereby grant Elena McCown, LLC all rights and consent to copyright, use, re‐use, publish or re‐publish, copy, exhibit or distribute all photographs I have posted of the food I created to be used for Elena McCown, LLC website, social media, and any educational, training or promotional electronic or printed material without restriction as to frequency or duration of usage and without compensation. By agreeing to this waiver by clicking BuyNow, I acknowledge that I have carefully read this Hold Harmless Agreement, Waiver and Release and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and Elena McCown, LLC and any staff member of cooking class whether contracted or employed, or related.