A CHEF who lost his corporate job as a recipe developer during the pandemic is offering interactive cooking sessions online, which help disparate families and friends reconnect – and learn some new tricks and tips.
Sebastian Price, who lives in Bicester with his partner and child, has worked in kitchens for more than 15years and until last September he was the executive head chef at a corporate catering company in White City, London.
His role, however, was made redundant leaving him without a secure income.
At first, he got a job as a general assistant in a Tesco branch but he missed cooking for people too much.
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The 34-year-old then decided to launch his business called The Raw Pantry, which offers supper clubs over Zoom.
People missing restaurant-quality meals and the luxury of dining out since a number of eateries were forced to close their kitchens during the Covid-19 crisis have been handed a lifeline.
The concept born out of lockdown sees the chef prepare a menu, ship all of the ingredients needed to people's homes and then guide them on how to create restaurant-quality dishes in their own kitchens.
Cookalong menu of The Raw Pantry
Mr Price commented on the experience: "Everyone was doing Zoom meetings for work, so that is how the idea cam about.
"Instead of me sending you a CD with a video, I will do it with you live.
"I send all the ingredients all packaged and in boxes to customers whether it is a couple or it is ten people in different houses for example and we all cook together via Zoom.
"I have five cameras in my kitchen – they are all iPhones, so it is rustic and raw, but still looks neat and tidy."
Under Mr Price's instructions, people prepare a three-course meal, which costs £50 per head.
This month's cookalong menu features an ox cheek pie with brown sauce to start, a fillet of Cornish cod with romesco sauce, carrots and goats cheese to share, a banoffee pie for dessert, and handmade signature truffles and Jericho coffee as a treat.
Meals prepared during The Raw Pantry's cookalongs
The supper clubs have become so popular that his schedule is now fully booked until April.
Mr Price added: "It is almost like private chef experience but I am in my home and you are in yours.
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"If it is a big group of people who have not seen each other for awhile I disappear between courses, so they can catch up.
"Sometimes, however, guests want me to with them when they are eating to discuss the business, what I am doing and where I want to go, but the general idea is that it brings people together just like in a restaurant.
"It is interesting to see people's interpretations of the food –some people know how to cook, some are willing to learn, but all they really need is the love for food.
"It is just a bit of fun."
Mr Price added that even though The Raw Pantry does not provide huge profit, it has gone 'from strength to strength'.
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