There's only so much TikTok or 24-hour news anyone can bear, so one good way to keep occupied during the Lockdown is to learn a new skill. Presuming that anyone reading Hot Dinners is into their food and drink, here are the chefs, bakers, wine merchants and mixologists sharing their skills on social that you need to know about.
(A note on the below. We've mainly featured tutorials you can find at any time, not just on Instagram Live)
Be inspired by top chefs at home
Jason Atherton has been hitting Instagram hard over the lockdown, “to stop ourselves going stir-crazy”. He’s cooking recipes from around the world, kicking off with ramen, and since then has done pasta, Spanish chorizo casserole along with Sunday lunch and date night suggestions. You'll even find a video of Ronan Keating singing for his supper on the feed.
See Jason Atherton's Instagram feed for more
Also see:
- Massimo Boturra - the owner of one the World's Best Restaurants hosts Kitchen Quarantine on Instagram - recent turorials included gelato, ragu, making the best from leftovers and more.
- Tom Kerridge - with no Pub in the Park this year, Kerridge hosts Lockdown Dinners on YouTube.
- Andrew Wong - the A Wong chef has a couple of free upcoming tutorials on Zoom - Char Sui Cooking and Dim Sum Dough Masterclass.
- Gordon Ramsay - Gordon has a growing amount of tutorials on his Instagram page, including crumble, quick lamb chops and more.
- Adam Handling - the chef has put up video tutorials for loads of his recipes on his website, giving you the chance to try those amazing cheese doughnuts yourself.
Travel the world through food without leaving your lounge
Barrafina
If you’ve been pining for some oozy, eggy tortilla or wafer-thin croquetas (and a chilled glass of fino) during lockdown, well the folk at Barrafina aim to please. They’ve been putting up regular videos on their Instagram feed including how to make those amazing ham croquetas along with dishes like their executive chef Angel Zapatan’s Catalan fish stew.
Also see:
- The Athenian - recent tutorials on Instagram have included tzatziki and classic souvlaki
- Francesco Mazzei hosts #FridaysWithFrancesco, cooking pasta dishes at home
- Padella - they're yet to start at the time of writing, but keep an eye on their channel for pasta tips.
Mix up a blinding cocktail
Legendary London cocktail slinger Salvatore started his tutorials on the practical side, with a recipe for homemade alcohol-based santiser. But thankfully he’s progressed to more enticing suggestions like the perfect Manhattan and - crucially for the times we’re in - the Breakfast Martini.
Also see:
- Artesian - their Instagram feed features their bar team creating classic cocktails
- Black Cow vodka are serving up weekly masterclasses in their Quarantini series, using ingredients you'll find in your fridge and cupboard.
- Empirical Spirits are covering everything from tastings to masterclasses from their Copenhagen distillery on their Instagram page
- Ladies and Gentleman bar are doing a weekly Kitchen Cupboard Cocktail Session every Friday at 4pm on their Instagram page.
Work on your wine appreciation
Wine bar group Humble Grape are hosting live weekly wine chats every Tuesday at 6.15pm on Instagram. They’ll be chatting with organic and sustainable winemakers from around the world. You crack open whatever wine you fancy at home, and they’ll be sharing tips and answering your questions.
Also see:
- 67 Pall Mall - the private wine bar goes public with Zoom chats every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm
- Quality Wines - the wine shop by Quality Chop House is putting up regular live chats on Insta by Gus Gluck. They're even hosting blind tastings - buy the wine in the shop and try and guess what it is through a group blind tasting online.
Perk up your homemade pizza skills
The folk at Pizza Pilgrim started their lockdown lessons by sharing their secrets to making the best pizza dough, but have progressed to showcasing recipes from their staff in a series called Mamma’s Boys. The latest one we’ve seen involves deep-fried mozzarella and while that isn’t an antidote to corona, it should be.
See Pizza Pilgrims on Instagram
Make the most of what’s in your cupboard
Erstwhile Londoner but now a Yorkshire lass, bestselling cookbook author Sabrina has been roping in her mother (a committed cookaphobe) for a series of videos using minimal ingredients - try her 4-Ingredient Split Pea Falafels, 3-Ingredient Potato Pops and 3-Ingredient Onion Bhajis.
See Sabrina Ghayour on Instagram
Also see:
They're not videos, but cookbook author Diana Henry has been sharing some wonderfully comforting recipes on her Insta feed every day - with loads of suggestions on how to swap out certain ingredients if you don't have the correct ones to hand.
Bake a cake worthy of the GBBO tent
Whether you’re baking as therapy or to satisfy your sweet tooth, London baker Lily Jones of bakers Lily Vanilli is here to help. “I feel so connected,” she says “to everyone out there baking to cope in these strange times.” Her videos share tips on everything from how to get that perfect caramel drip effect to making smooth meringue buttercream icing. Lord knows how you’ll hold yourself back from licking the mixing bowl clean..
Other tutorials and masterclasses
If the current crisis has made you rethink your career path, then why not try the food writing workshops by Sudi Piggott to see if that's where your talents lie?
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
