i suck at cooking. Is there a online school that anyone could recommend? If I make the investment I want to make sure I get my money's worth.

I'm sure there are tons of free resources on YouTube that are just as good as any class, and they're free. To start with, search YouTube for "Jacques Pepin" and whatever you're wanting to do.

If you're a young person cooking for themselves, I highly recommend Ethan Chlebowski. I picked up a ton of skills from watching his videos. He goes over recipes, but also gives general guidelines for how to improvise. https://youtube.com/c/CookwithE

Basics with Babbish is good, lots of stuff from America's Best Test Kitchen too. Just search for anything you want to cook and there's tons to be had on YouTube.

I agree, just start cooking and don't worry about formal lessons. I started cooking because i had nostalgia for Mama's home cooking when i first left home.

I can remember some of my first dishes were crock pot roast with veggies and baked pork chops with rice using Campbell's cream of mushroom soup in a baking dish. These are incredibly easy recipes that are almost full proof because you just set it and forget it.

I think the scariest thing for most people is undercooking food and knowing when it's done. You can always buy an instant meat thermometer to use until you get comfortable, but dishes like i mentioned above are time-based and as long as you follow the instructions, you'll be fine.

Mentioning my mom's home cooking, i tried to execute fried chicken before i was ready and almost burned my apartment complex down so be careful and I'd stay away from frying at least at first! Water and hot oil do not mix!

Everything on MasterClass is awesome but also get Salt Fat Acid Heat

Great for fundamentals

I learned everything that I know from asking questions on this very forum, and YouTube of course. Started seriously cooking 9 years ago and I'm now confident in my abilities.

And it didn't cost me a dime. You're already paying for the food and you're just cooking for home.

If you are science minded or just want very precise explanations I recommend the Food Lab by J Kenji Lopez-Alt. It isn't so much practical advice as it is theory which properly applied is very freeing. His YouTube channel on the other hand is very practical and informative. Can't recommend him enough tbh.

Follow Food Network on social media. They post lots of quick tips and recipes from chefs like Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Ina Garten and many others. I've learned a lot through them.

Michael Symon is one of the best. He shares a lot of useful skills for home cooks.

jkuneyl said:

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If you are science minded or just want very precise explanations I recommend the Food Lab by J Kenji Lopez-Alt. It isn't so much practical advice as it is theory which properly applied is very freeing. His YouTube channel on the other hand is very practical and informative. Can't recommend him enough tbh.

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Kenji is awesome