Photo credit: Shivani Mandalia.
As the UK emerges from a third national lockdown, there is still no certainty on travelling abroad anytime soon. Our web content manager, Shivani Mandalia, delves into the world of virtual experiences.
When you think of Paris what comes to mind? Of course, delicate pastries and baked goods, which can be made right at home thanks to virtual cooking classes.
Carlos Borregales hosts virtual baking experiences on Airbnb and is also the director of baking school Aten-Te Aute in Paris. He explains that when hosting virtual classes “our main goal is to teach guests how to make French pastry from their home, so we don’t use very expensive equipment.” An oven and basic utensils are all that is needed in Carlos’ classes.
I was hesitant to join an online cooking class due to a fear that I’m sure we all share now - having to turn my camera on and speak in front of people. But Carlos began the session with an icebreaker to get the group talking and from that moment onwards I was raring to get baking.
Although the experience was scheduled to start at 1 pm, Carlos sent an email inviting everybody to join the class early. I logged on to the video call at 12.30 noon and was greeted by a French melody and a quirky animation of a chef, prompting us to prepare our ingredients to the sound of the music. My kitchen quickly transformed into a quaint Parisian cooking station.
Throughout the two-hour-long experience, Carlos transported us all on a journey through the 16th century, when macarons were first introduced.
Photo credit: Aten-Te Aute. Virtual macaron making classes.
Despite not being able to see Paris, being taken on a historical tour was enough to have me feeling as I was somewhere other than at home.
Macarons are an art I expected could only be perfected by Le Cordon Bleu chefs, but under Carlos’ watchful Zoom eye, we all became macaron connoisseurs.
It’s an experience like no other. Maybe next time you’ll find me making street tacos with a host in Mexico.
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