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Today we’re posing the question, is Masterclass worth it? With a first impression look at the Masterclass platform, diving into the cooking classes currently available through the yearly membership.
We’ll take a look at what’s on offer, what Masterclass is, how it works, what you get and who you can learn from before reviewing lessons from some of the instructors in the food category. Then we’ll answer the all-important question of whether it is worth the price.
Before we begin, let us first take a look at what Masterclass is, for all of us who have yet to stumble across it. Or perhaps simply viewed a few ads that have passed us by and have never really taken a closer look…
What is Masterclass?
Masterclass is an online streaming platform, that allows you to learn from the very best in the industry.
What industry you may ask? Well as it turns out there is way more than just the one that we’re interested in, food. There are 11 different categories altogether that include several different industries.
The categories on offer include:
- food
- music
- arts and entertainment
- writing
- wellness
- design & style
- business
- science and tech
- home and lifestyle
- sports and gaming
- community and government
As mentioned, the instructors are made up of industry professionals and experts within their fields. From Yottam Ottolenghi to Gordon Ramsey, Marc Jacobs, Shonda Rhimes, Alicia Keys, Annie Leibovitz, Stephen Curry and well, the list goes on and on.
This online learning experience with pre-recorded video lessons allows you to tune in whenever you please. Like an upgraded version of home-school for adults, only better.
For this very post, we’ll be focussing on the food and cooking classes offered on the Masterclass platform.
How does Masterclass work?
Masterclass offers yearly memberships that cost NZ $310 or $25.83 a month. As far as I’m aware has to be paid in one, lump-sum payment (there’s no current payment plan available). This payment grants you your all-access pass to all the classes on the platform.
Once you have made your payment, you’re able to set up your account with an email and password.
Lessons can be streamed both on your website browser as well as the Masterclass app on your TV or mobile device. And that’s pretty much it. Log in with your details and then explore away.
- As a side note: individual classes used to be available to purchase, but that is, unfortunately, no longer the case.
What do I get in a Masterclass Membership?
Let’s take a look at all that’s involved in the package, in bullet points for easy reading…
Masterclass memberships include the following:
- Access to the exclusive Masterclass platform with a catalogue of 100+ classes. Each class is an average of 10 minutes with around 20 video lessons per instructor. Lessons are available through smartphone apps, TV apps and via your computer browser. New classes are also added monthly.
- Of these lessons, 284 (as per my last count) are categorised within the food section from 13 instructors.
- Downloadable lessons on your mobile device for any offline viewing you may want to do. This option is currently unavailable for computers.
- Downloadable workbooks. Each class comes with an accompanying workbook that summarises information from the lessons. This also includes all the recipes and extra tips and tricks for all those food lessons.
- Within the food category, this can range from 38-page to 119-page workbooks, that are styled to reflect the individual instructors and topic covered. Pictures and even step-by-step diagrams/ pictures are also included.
- Online community. Through the platform, you’ll be able to interact with fellow members through discussions, with the ability to also share your work, get feedback and join challenges and contests. It is completely up to you how much involvement you would like to have with this feature.
RELATED: A roundup of useful kitchen resources to upgrade your culinary skills
Who Can I Learn From?
There are 13 instructors in the cooking/ food section of Masterclass and they include…
- Aaron Franklin teaching Texas-style BBQ
- Alice Waters teaches the art of home cooking
- Apollonia Poilâne teaching bread baking
- Dominique Ansel teaching French pastry fundamentals
- Gabriela Camara teaching Mexican Cooking
- Gordan Ramsay teaches cooking and cooking restaurant recipes at home
- James Suckling teaching wine appreciation
- Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana teaching mixology
- Massimo Bottura teaches modern Italian cooking
- Ron Finley teaching gardening
- Thomas Keller teaches cooking techniques: vegetables, pasta and eggs, cooking techniques: meats, stocks and sauced and cooking techniques: seafood, sous vide and desserts
- Wolfgang Puck teaches cooking
- Yotam Ottolenghi teaches modern Middle Eastern cooking
First Impressions
How I came across Masterclass…
Masterclass first flashed across my screen as I was scrolling through social media and I have to admit that I was instantly interested. It’s not every day that one can learn from such a highly respected, high calibre of individuals, with achievements that grant them their well-deserved celebrity status.
Sometimes to be the best, you’ve got to learn from the very best. And, at the very least, I expected that it would provide a high level of entertainment.
Therefore, the instructors gathered on this single platform were standout, along with the filming and production quality. If you have seen the advertisements and trailers, I’m sure you know what I mean.
Initial Thoughts…
I’ve tried a few online learning memberships before and much to my despair wasn’t able to use it to the best of my abilities. Which is what made me a little cautious. Plus, it’s not exactly easy, to hand over $310 all at once for a membership that would expire in a year.
Consequently, I wondered, is Masterclass worth it? Would I be able to digest all the information on offer and get as much out of it as possible before my time ran out?
So then I took a moment to explore all I could (without actually spending a dime just yet) and read the fine print. That was when a few things caught my attention…
1. The buy one, give one offer
- Which allows you to split the cost of one membership between a friend and yourself. Benefits for all really, as you both get your very own membership access. This was a friendlier option for the wallet, provided you knew someone else who was interested.
2. The 30-day money-back guarantee
- Even though I didn’t necessarily think I’d use it. However, it is good to know the option was available. That also provided the sense that there was less risk involved if it didn’t turn out to be all it was supposed to be.
3. The duration of classes
- With around 20 lessons and a 10-minute average per class, I felt like that was feasible and could hold my attention span. Don’t get me wrong I fully intended to binge-watch a bunch of things, but having them in smaller classes meant that it was broken down and structured into separate topics, which I quite enjoyed the sound of. Not to mention, more appealing compared to hour-long classes, which I would no doubt get lost in.
4. The mobile app
- Which meant portability! Not only results in easy access but also easy navigating without the distraction of having to leave it open as a tab or having to search for it every time on the internet. It did, however, mean that you’d need to download the app, hopefully not taking up too much space in the process.
5. The downloadable PDF workbooks
- The idea of having these to accompany each class was more than appealing. Not only does it make all that information easier to digest, but it also reinforces the lessons by summarising it for you. Therefore, better chances of retaining all that information and better understanding the lessons. My favourite part of learning was always the notes because that’s where all the golden nuggets of knowledge lie.
- Furthermore, it’s also something one could keep in the long run, even if you discontinue membership.
I value knowledge and experience highly and the chance to grow more as a person struck me. I was hoping to further develop my skills and knowledge in cooking and gain some inspiration. Which was when I decided to take the plunge and make the purchase.
Note: Masterclass do a buy 1 give 1 membership a few times a year. That means you can split the cost with a friend and both get the goods! One of those times is generally just around Christmas, so check it out then, or follow their social channels for updates!
Attending Apollonia Poilâne’s Bread Baking Class…
I started my journey with bread baking classes from Apollonia Poilâne, CEO of the renowned Parisian bakery, Poilâne, as it was one of the newest food classes released.
Here’s an overview of what I’ve seen so far (5 classes in) …
- You’re first introduced into the world of bread making through the history of Poilâne and the story behind it, much like all the other classes on the platform. This is your beginning. I found it a great way to immerse myself in the world and understand the history of it all. Not to mention, I appreciated the effort in introducing the story behind how it came into existence and passed through generations. I haven’t heard the Poilâne story before so it was very interesting.
- Second, covers baking philosophies and a guide on equipment and ingredients. Useful to know what you’ll need to gather and understand throughout the process. Especially if you plan on making the recipes, which is recommended.
- Poilâne talks about using the five senses approach while baking, which I am all on board for and very excited about! A way for you to determine the right sounds, sights, smells, feel and taste so that even without a well-designed recipe, you’ll be able to make it work and fine-tune your knowledge. All through the sensory experience of baking!
- Then we continue onto the good stuff which is the recipes. These kick-off with a sourdough starter class. And it was enough inspiration to make me want to start my starter and sourdough journey. It takes 5 days before you can begin making bread (so a bit of patience and careful attention are required) but the starter, can pretty much be yours for life. They’ve got one, which has currently been around for 80 years!
- The next classes cover mixing, shaping, storing and baking, followed by nothing else but the beautifully crafted, most delicious loaf one could ever see.
And that’s pretty much all that encompasses the first 5 episodes, keeping in mind there are plenty more to follow.
My Thoughts…
As expected, the lessons for this class capture the bread-lovers attention in careful detail. In total, 17 classes range from 5 minutes to almost 34 minutes, which I feel are quite well structured.
- It’s extremely helpful to be able to see an example of what the bread should look like and be able to visualise the techniques to achieve the final loaf of bread. For someone who learns by example and learns visually, this is extremely useful. Plus the workbook also helps to further emphasise the process and techniques.
- I also really like that there are classes about using bread in all stages of freshness from a freshly baked loaf to one that is stale. All so that one can use the loaf of bread to its full potential and reduce wastage, which is what Poilâne, is all about. And I am here for both of those things.
Sidenotes: The classes are beautifully filmed in a kitchen setting and showcase the process well, to help one see the actions and movements that are required in bread making.
Overall, so far so good! I look forward to making some bread and putting all my knowledge and skills into practice. Upcoming is an incredibly exciting brioche lesson!
Attending Yotam Ottolenghi’s Modern Middle Eastern Cooking Class…
This was one of the classes that I was particularly interested in. Middle Eastern cooking and food, in general, is something I enjoy eating. So, therefore, one could say I had high expectations for it. There are currently 26 episodes in this class and all bar 2 of these include recipes.
Here’s an overview of what I’ve seen so far (3 classes in) …
- The first video covers Ottolenghi’s story and philosophy, introducing food as a visual experience through layered dishes with bold flavours and colourful ingredients. Sounds like my kind of food! And again learning the story and reasoning behind it all is fascinating and inspiring, as well as great context.
- The first set of videos contains recipes for a mezze spread, including a delightful array of vibrant foods that he brings to life with character, accompanied by some upbeat music and food close-ups in transitions. If you thought you were hungry, this will make it so much more so!
- Each of the first few lessons is structured around one mezze element, interwoven with his knowledge and anecdotes. Thrown in with tons of tips and tricks on how to extract the most flavour out of your food which is great! Managed to pick up some inspiration here and want to try the recipes and techniques suggested.
My Thoughts…
The lessons, so far have been enlightening. However, they have taken me slightly longer to get through as the first videos are around the 20 – almost 30-minute mark. Not complaining though as the detail in that is gone through and the knowledge shared throughout the experience is enough to keep one watching and interested.
- Ottolenghi’s workbook is also one of my favourites, it is simple but well-designed and full of recipes with masterfully lit pictures to accompany them, making the food pop in just the right way. Not to mention a large array of recipes that are so bright, lively and vibrant which is what encompasses his style of cooking.
- I also enjoy the fact that there are side dishes, vegetarian options and garnishing elements included. Options that can be combined with other elements to make a flavourful dish full of bold flavours.
Overall taking the lessons so far, I’m left feeling inspired and better educated. I’m also looking forward to throwing together my very own mezze platter.
Labneh with berries is a lesson and recipe I’m eagerly awaiting as well as the Mafalda pasta!
Attending Gordan Ramsay’s Cooking Class…
Then came Gordan Ramsay’s cooking classes. Giving you “an insight into something that you’ve never seen before anywhere”, in his own words. Ramsay’s classes are taught from his very own home (which is nothing but gorgeous, spacious and dream-worthy) where it all begins daily. It accentuates a warm and homely feel with a sense of ease and comfort like you’re going over to a friend’s house.
Around every corner, Ramsay pulls out some great cooking quotes along the way. From describing one’s stove to a piano or stage to…
“When you cook, it’s not from a script— it’s from the heart.”
Gordan Ramsay
Here’s an overview of what I’ve seen so far (6 classes in) …
- Gordon covers his story of how he got to where he is today. It’s an inspiring one and admittedly not one I’ve heard before. Working in different restaurants and building his way up to gain the skills and knowledge he has today, from just 16.
- He teaches you the important tools you need in your toolkit, from pans to knives. And states that these are the things worth spending money on, which I agree with. As well as how food tastes different when you have quality pans.
- Next are vegetables and herbs. My favourite quotes from this lesson were…
“Sometimes the uglier the vegetable, the more flavourful.“
“It needs to be in season to maximise the flavour. And then use it less and enjoy it more…“
Gordan Ramsay
- Recipes are used to accompany the knowledge/ information shared and cover the basics. For example, poaching an egg and serving it with brioche toast, bacon and mushrooms. A good starting point for any breakfast feast, while also identifying ways to maximise flavour. This later continues to things such as pasta and meats.
- Another subject he covers briefly is knife skills, which is a rather important skill in the kitchen and well worth an episode.
My Thoughts…
This 20-lesson class is an excellent start for chefs just starting out or as a quick refresher for more experienced chefs. Although potentially a little repetitive for the latter, you may however be reminded of things too.
It gives you the basics and the know-how displayed throughout the walkthrough of lessons. And if I have learned anything, it’s that mastering the basics is the key, before venturing off into the complicated.
This class is the prequel to his restaurant recipes at home class and I would be interested to see what that class involves.
The lessons include a mixture of videos, bouncing between recipe/ practical demonstrative lessons and theory videos as well as talks of his story and advice. I potentially would’ve liked to have seen less bouncing between or the talks grouped into one, but understand it breaks up the content to maintain interest.
Ramsay’s workbook includes links to resources to further your knowledge through other guides and lists (exterior sources such as the Food Network and Epicurious) which was rather interesting. A note section is provided on each page and makes it feel like one is taking a lesson/ within a learning environment.
In his lessons, he also points out that 90 per cent of the battle is in getting organised. This is something that I have very much learned the value of over the years and also the usefulness of having all that you need within your sights.
Let’s do some evaluating… is Masterclass worth it?
After taking just a handful of the lessons on offer (which according to Masterclass is just 1% of the platform), my first impression is as follows…
The pros…
- You get access to lessons from industry professionals who have an incredible amount of knowledge, expertise and skillsets to share. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s a fair amount of lessons on offer and a little bit for everyone, from professionals to those just beginning their journey. The classes also include some great personalities, making the classes that much more enjoyable.
- Recipes and workbooks! Which are so valuable and great sources of inspiration. Plus they’re downloadable which means you have them forever. This is one of the best points of Masterclass, the well-designed workbooks that integrate with the lessons. There’s one created for every class!
- Masterclass offers a 30-day guarantee. This means that if it’s not all that you expect, you can get your money back. Although I doubt this is the case for most.
- Online lesson streaming, access to apps and downloadable videos. The fact Masterclass can be viewed on your computer or mobile makes it easily accessible and portable for the mobile phone user. Plus lessons can be downloaded to view if you’re on public transport or somewhere without wifi.
- The filming quality. Each lesson makes for some great watching material. From the music that sets the subtle tone in the background to the slow-motion shots of food being tossed in a pan. Ranging from the neat clean organised kitchen studio to on-the-scene shots (such as in bakeries and restaurants etc). The effort put into this makes it engaging and cinematic.
The Interesting…
- 7-day trial. For your friends that is. Masterclass doesn’t exactly offer a trial upfront. However, once you purchase a membership, you get 3 passes for a 7-day trial. If you know people who are interested you can send it their way, or someone else may be able to send you one.
- The online community. I’ve had a quick exploration of the member community and I have mixed feelings. It’s not something I feel like I’ll have much involvement in, but if you’re looking to talk about particular content I could see the appeal.
- It’s a pretty big forum that has trending discussions and appears to act mostly in answering questions and queries. Sometimes you’ll see a lot of answers/ comments, sometimes not.
- But it does involve a lot of scrolling through and time involved.
- The range of topics available: There are 16 classes in the food category with 13 instructors. Gordan Ramsay has 2 classes and Thomas Keller has 3 classes, so there is a bit of a double up there. I’m assuming it’s to break it down better into categories.
- Mexican, Middle Eastern, Texan and Italian cuisines are available, but there’s room for more. For example a type of Asian cuisine (there’s none currently). There is also the potential for more diversity and a variety of classes in general. This may be something that’s added in the future, however.
- New classes added every month: This is an interesting one for a few reasons. One is that it’s not exactly guaranteed which category this new class falls under, so if you’re solely after the food content, this could pose a potential disadvantage. On the other hand, it adds to the variety of the platform which offers a broad range of topics.
The Cons…
- Not all the classes may be for you. The platform holds a variety of different categories and topics. Therefore there’s a chance some of the classes won’t be as appealing to you as others. There may be some instructors whom you connect with more than others too, including their philosophies, approaches and ways of teaching.
- However, if you have a curious mind and are interested in a bunch of different things then that may not be a problem for you.
- It’s educational to a certain degree. If you were looking for a hands-on approach or a 1-on-1 situation, I’m afraid this isn’t it.
- Masterclass, unfortunately, doesn’t involve much, if any interaction or relationship between members and instructors. This means that you won’t get any tailored feedback on your results or the work that you do. An essential element required to improve and grow. While there is a community, it’s not quite the same as being able to consult with professionals and talking through any troubles, improvements you could make, things you didn’t understand or any curiosities you have.
- It’s not something I expected from the platform, but it is something to keep in mind. And not a replacement for taking a course for example. But it does provide a great sense of inspiration.
- You’ll be provided with the theory, the classes, knowledge and tips and tricks but the practical implementation is all up to you. In this, you’ll be on your own, but the guide is there to help.
- The auto-renewal system. Your card/ payment details are kept on file. So, forgetting to cancel will automatically renew your annual membership when the time comes. A problem only if you don’t want to continue that is. You may need to set a reminder to evaluate your Masterclass journey at some point.
So, is Masterclass worth it?
After spending a bit of time on the platform and weighing out all the pros, cons and interesting points…
I believe that what you can gain from Masterclass in terms of inspiration, information, value and production quality does make it worth it. As long as you are willing to dedicate time to explore the content.
It offers a great opportunity to access lessons from instructors and industry professionals with such a wealth of knowledge which is pretty incomparable, you get to learn from the best! The impressive production quality makes it easy to view and entertaining to the point where you could forget it was also teaching you something new.
The workbooks to follow are useful and more than worth it, where else could you get all those incredible recipes, tips and tricks?
If you’re able to focus on it and apply all the knowledge that you’ve gained from the teachings, you’ll be onto something great, developing your skills in the process!
Plus if you’re interested in a range of different things, this could satisfy some of those curiosities too and you can dive into various topics.
Conclusion
That concludes my first impression of Masterclass memberships. Today we posed the question is Masterclass worth it? and looked at all the offerings on the platform as an online learning experience.
We dived into what Masterclass is, how it works, what you get and who you can learn from (in the food category) and I laid out my initial thoughts.
Then we took a look at just 3 of the many classes available and a few lessons from each.
In the end, as evaluated Masterclass in my opinion is worth it, provided you’re committed to spending the time on the platform to get your money’s worth. It’s also a great place to get both entertainment and inspiration all while learning something new!
Do you think you’ll give Masterclass a go? Let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions below!
Stay Curious,
Laura
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