Atlanta Restaurants Offering Virtual Cooking Classes, Cocktail Demos, and Wine Tastings

With restaurants ordered by the state to provide takeout only, and bars closed across metro Atlanta, chefs and bartenders are taking their skills virtual. Eater Atlanta rounded up a few regularly hosted digital cooking classes, cocktail demonstrations, virtual wine tastings, and chefs breaking down recipes to check out as Atlantans dine at home while sheltering in place.

Know of a regular virtual food or drink event on Instagram, Facebook, or Zoom hosted by an Atlanta restaurant, chef, bartender, or other food producer? Send Eater the details on the tipline. Check back for new weekly virtual classes and demos to watch.

Online Cooking Classes

“Running with Redbird” — hosted by Chef Zeb Stevenson

Redbird chef Zeb Stevenson is teaching people how to cook some of the restaurant’s dishes at home in a series of Instagram videos. Follow along as Stevenson breaks down how to make fresh strawberry jam, talks bread-making and music, and discusses the benefits of weighing ingredients. Videos pop up on Redbird’s Instagram page weekly, and typically four to five minutes long.

“Quarantine Cafe” — hosted by Chef Jeffrey Gardner

The roving Atlanta chef and restaurant consultant has taken to his home kitchen, producing a video series providing recipes and cooking demonstrations of easy meals to whip up at home using what’s in the pantry or found at a local market. Learn how to make everything from lentil chili to spaghetti alla puttanesca. Follow along on YouTube.

Cooking classes — hosted by Bellina Alimentari and Aziza

Owner Tal Baum and crew host regularly scheduled cooking classes via Facebook live typically at 4 p.m. on Thursdays, like making pasta and pizza or creating fresh hummus and pita. Follow on Facebook to stay updated on new dates. Kits and recipes for classes can be purchased online at Bellina’s market.

Cooking classes — hosted by The Cook’s Warehouse

The Cook’s Warehouse is holding its cooking classes online via Zoom. Participants are provided a shopping list prior to class to purchase ingredients needed. Classes are $25 and include recipes and a recording of the course. Those interested should sign up at cookswarehouse.com/cooking-classes.

Cookbook giveaway — chef Virginia Willis

Georgia chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis goes live on Facebook every Friday at 2 p.m. with cookbook giveaways and other cooking tips. Follow on Instagram, too, for other virtual events and TV appearances to watch.

*Check out other virtual cooking classes here.

Online Cocktail Demos

“Sippin’ at Home” — hosted by Cold Beer/Gunshow beverage director Mercedes O’Brien

Follow “Sippin at Home” on Instagram as Atlanta bartender Mercedes O’Brien demonstrates how to make a proper cocktail at home using what people have in the pantry, on the bar, and even in the garden. Episode One, entitled “Something Different Gimlet”, is already up on Instagram.

Daily virtual happy hour — hosted by Likewise bar

The bar inside Citizen Supply at Ponce City Market goes live on Instagram stories every day for happy hour at 5 p.m. with cocktail demonstrations and even cocktail-related trivia on Fridays.

“Mixing with Mixy” - hosted by Jasmyne Brooks of Mixy Chix

Jasymne Brooks, owner of Atlanta mobile bartending service Mixy Chix, is hosting cocktail demos and classes via YouTube. Follow on Instagram to stay updated on dates and other online events.

Cocktail classes with Krista Slater and Jerry Slater of the Expat

Krista and Jerry Slater, owners of the Expat in Athens, have teamed up with the Southern Foodways Alliance for a cocktail-making series on Instagram and Facebook Live. Follow along for the schedule and updates.

Virtual Wine Tastings

Virtual wine tasting — Perrine’s

Each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., the wine shop at Westside Provisions District hosts its weekly wine tastings online. Virtual tastings are often lead by owner Perrine Prieur Gallardo or one of her knowledgable staff members, and includes special guest sommeliers from Atlanta restaurants and wine distributors, live music, and the chance to taste through three wines. Sign up and swing by to pick up wines prior to the tasting. Contact-free and curbside pickup only.

“The Wine Show” — hosted by Atlanta sommelier Tim Willard

Atlanta sommelier and director of education for European Cellars, Tim Willard, hosts a wine and music variety show every Wednesday night via Zoom. Each tasting includes a musical guest and wines from Willard’s Atlanta retail shop partners, like 3 Parks Wine, Perrine’s, Highland Fine Wine, Elemental Spirits, and VinoTeca. Keep updated by visiting European Cellar’s online events page for details on wines to purchase ahead of the themed Wednesday tastings. A Zoom link is provided with the exact time and the password to join each week.

Virtual wine tasting — 3 Parks Wine Shop

The wine shop in Glenwood Park, owned by Sarah Pierre, is now helping to supply wines for Willard’s virtual “Wine Show”. Call 678-349-7070 or email Cheers@3parkswine.com to find out more information and to order wines for the tastings for curbside pickup.

Virtual wine tasting — hosted by Wahoo Wine & Provisions

The wine shop next door to sister restaurant Wahoo Grill offers online wine tastings every Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom and Instagram Live. Follow updates on Facebook and Instagram. Wines can be purchased and picked up at the shop on East College Avenue in Decatur.

Virtual wine tastings from Georgia-based vineyards

Several wineries in Dahlonega, Georgia, plan to host virtual wine tastings over the coming weeks. For schedules, check out this list of wineries or visit Dahlonega’s Instagram account for updates.

Virtual Trivia

Weekly virtual trivia from Hampton + Hudson

Each Thursday at precisely 7:55 p.m., host Adam Greene goes live on Instagram with questions via Crowd Live link. Participants sign up to play prior to the game by making a $5 donation to benefit the staff at Hampton + Hudson in Inman Park. Only 100 people can participate each game, with the two top teams winning prizes.

Other Virtual Restaurant Events

Nakato Japanese restaurant owner Sachi Nakato Takahara is conducting a weekly origami making class on the restaurant’s Facebook Page. The Facebook Live classes take place every Monday at 5 p.m., and simply requires participants to have foldable paper on hand.

Stay home if sick. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health website for guidance and twice-daily updates on the latest number of reported COVID-19 cases.

• Keep Track of How the Coronavirus Is Impacting Atlanta’s Food Scene [EATL]