Discover how I took free certified cooking courses, improved my skills and opened up new opportunities in the kitchen. Come with me!
How It All Began: The Desire to Cook Better
You know that moment when you get tired of ordering delivery every day and think: “Man, I need to learn how to really cook.”?
Well, that's exactly how my culinary journey began.
I was always one of those people who barely knew how to fry an egg without the yolk bursting. But after seeing some friends preparing incredible dishes at home, I felt like I no longer had to be the “useless” person in the kitchen.
Besides, let's be honest: knowing how to cook is impressive, saves you money and can even open new doors, perhaps even professional ones.
It was then that I decided to look for free cooking courses with certificate. I wanted something serious, but not heavy on the pocket.
And believe me: I found a lot of good stuff out there.
Why Look for Free Cooking Courses with Certificate?
You might be wondering: “Do you really need a certificate if the important thing is knowing how to cook?”
Look, I thought so at first. But then I realized some advantages:
- Curriculum enhancement: Even if you don't want to become a chef, the certificate shows that you have pursued formal training.
- Credibility: If one day you want to offer meals, teach classes or work in the field, the certificate helps.
- Commitment: When there is a certificate at the end, we take the course more seriously.
NEWS
Where I Found the Best Free Cooking Courses with Certificate
Additionally, many courses offer well-organized content, with progressive modules, assessments and even teacher support.
Now comes the interesting part: where I took the courses. I did a LOT of research, tested a few, and here are the ones that were really worth it:
1. SENAI – Food and Beverages
SENAI needs no introduction. It is one of the most respected institutions in Brazil when it comes to vocational education.
On their website, there are free cooking and food handling courses. The certificate is valid and recognized in the market.
- Website: SENAI – Online Courses
I took the “Good Food Handling Practices” course. I learned everything from hygiene to preservation techniques.
Extremely useful, especially if you are thinking of starting a business in the food industry.
2. Prime Courses
This platform offers several online courses, including cooking courses. I took the “Basic Cooking” course and found it excellent for those starting from scratch.
The cool thing is that, although the course is free, you only pay a small fee if you want to issue the certificate. I issued it because I thought it was worth it.
- Website: Prime Courses – Cooking
3. SEBRAE – Food and Beverages
SEBRAE is more geared towards those who want to start a business. I took the course “How to Set Up a Food Business”. It opened my mind to opportunities that go beyond the kitchen.
Even though it is more focused on business, the course teaches a lot about menus, pricing and good practices.
- Website: SEBRAE – Free Courses
4. Udemy (Free Courses and Promotions)
Udemy always has free or super affordable cooking courses on sale. I took the “Practical Cooking for Beginners” course for R$27.90 during one of these flash sales.
It is a very complete platform, with well-recorded video classes and great teachers.
- Website: Udemy – Cooking
5. Coursera and edX (University Partnerships)
Here the level goes up a bit. Universities abroad offer online courses with subtitles in Portuguese.
I took the University of Hong Kong's “The Science of Gastronomy” course on Coursera. I learned the chemical principles of cooking, something I never imagined I would study.
- Coursera: The Science of Gastronomy
The cool thing is that you can watch it for free, you only pay if you want the certificate.
Tips I Learned and Will Share with You
Now that you know where to find the courses, I'll give you some practical tips, straight from my experience:
1. Start with the Basics
Before you try to make seafood risotto, learn how to make fluffy rice, juicy steak, and al dente pasta. Once you master the basics, the rest will follow.
2. Put Together a Starter Kit of Utensils
You don't need to spend a fortune, but some items are essential:
- Good chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Non-stick frying pan
- Pots of various sizes
- Measuring cups and spoons
3. Organization is Everything
Always read the entire recipe before starting. Separate the ingredients, measure everything, and only then go to the stove. This avoids stress and mistakes.
4. Always Practice
Cooking is a manual skill. The more you practice, the better you get. Invite your friends and family over and try out new recipes.
5. Find Inspiration
I follow several YouTube channels that have helped me a lot. I recommend:
- Tastemade Brazil: Tastemade on YouTube
- Panelinha, by Rita Lobo: Panelinha on YouTube
- Bach Kitchen: Bach Kitchen
The Advantages I Realized When I Jumped Into This
- Nowadays I make my own lunch and dinner almost every day.
- Impress at meetings with friends.
- I spend much less on food.
- I have plans to open a small delivery service in the future.
And most importantly, I rediscovered the pleasure of cooking. It's almost like therapy.
It's totally worth it!
If you, like me, are tired of eating badly and wasting money, start your journey in the kitchen today.
You free cooking courses with certificate that I shared are affordable, reliable and will change your relationship with food.
So, have you started your course yet? Tell me about your experiences in the comments! If this article helped you, share it with your friends and encourage more people to discover the joy of cooking.