COVID-19 has put the entire world on pause and the problem of not having enough time has been replaced with an extreme in the other direction. If you’ve been looking to learn a new language, increase your skillset, transition your career, or find something to talk about in your next Zoom Happy Hour, now is the time. Here is a list of resources that offer free or inexpensive quality classes, webinars, Instagram Live and YouTube videos to help you get ahead during this global timeout.


Back of House - Culinary

ChefsFeed.com
ChefsFeed.com launched online cooking classes to give you a chance to virtually connect with chefs and bartenders, learn simple cooking tricks and tips, and support the culinary community through this difficult time by purchasing tickets to these instructional classes.

ServSafe
ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association are offering a free ServSafe Food Handler course and exam.

Social Media
Countless culinary professionals and food bloggers are hopping onto Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to demonstrate techniques, discuss recipes, host interviews, and show you what to make for dinner.

We will continue to add to this list. In the meantime, if you are looking for more social inspiration check out these hashtags: #kitchenquarantine  #quarantinecooking #comfortfood #coronacooking #keepcooking #cookingathome #lockdowncooking #chefathome #cookathome #newrecipe #lovecooking 

Front of the House - Beverage: Bartending

Ananas Academy
Ananas has been developed by the industry for the industry to provide information and materials designed to help you learn and succeed.

BarSmarts 
The BarSmarts Certification Program equips industry professionals and enthusiasts with a wide-ranging knowledge of spirits and cocktails (use code “TRYBARSMARTS” to enroll for free).

Diageo Bar Academy
Diageo Bar Academy is an immersive training program for bar professionals across the globe. Made up of physical and online learnings, Diageo Bar Academy educates, inspires and informs bar and service staff, as well as venue owners, to help them take their career to the next level.

Five Drinks
Five Drinks has started an Instagram video series offering everything from virtual bar games, cocktail how-tos with featured bartenders like Casa Florida and The Sylvester, as well as a virtual tip jar in place for local bartenders.

Julio Cabrera
Cafe La Trova’s head bartender, Julio Cabrera, is teaching at home bartenders his best tips, tricks, and recipes, daily on his Instagram at 6 PM EST.

The Mixology Certification
A Bar Above is offering their Mixology Certification for $25 for hospitality professionals who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis (use code "KEEPLEARNING" to enroll in the discounted program).

 

Front of the House - Beverage: Beer

Denver Beer Company
Denver Beer Company is hosting a series of virtual pairings with local producers, like cookie makers and charcuterie.

Front of the House - Beverage: Cocktails

Ashley Thomas
Brand ambassador for Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Ashley Thomas, has started a #HunkerInTheBunker series, making everything from Pickle Backs to more elaborate Blue Hawaiian Cocktails.

BartendingLicenseHelp.com
Whether you are currently starting your career as a bartender or server, or want to advance your existing career, Bartending License Help is a hub for all your bartending needs.

Naomi Leslie
East Coast Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie, Naomi Leslie, launched an Instagram series, called “Use What You’ve Got”, showing you how to literally use whatever you have in your house to make cocktails.

Ryan Chetiyawardana 

While Ryan Chetiyawardana, owner of London bars, White Lyan and Dandelyan, has been self-isolating, he has been helping to keep his cocktail-creativity flowing via Instagram stories.

Trevor Schneider 
U.S. Reyka Vodka Brand Ambassador, Trevor Schneider, has begun a series of Instagram TV posts demonstrating cocktails recipes step-by-step, making it easy to follow along at home.

Yelp Miami 
Yelp Miami is hosting virtual weekend happy hours on its Instagram live. Every Friday and Saturday, different Miami-area bartenders and restaurants will teach how to make their signature concoctions along with classic cocktails.

Front of the House - Beverage: Wine

Gary Farrell Winery 
Russian River Valley’s Gary Farrell Winery has launched a series of virtual tasting experiences featuring their estate sommeliers.

Mastering Wine – Jancis Robinson’s Shortcuts to Success 
Renowned wine expert, Jancis Robinson, teaches you how to feel confident about wine in any situation.

Online Wine School (Napa Valley Wine Academy)
With a wide array of online course offerings from Wine 101 and WSET certification courses to expert level wine courses, you will have access to video learning content, webinars and forums.

Pressoir.wine
Daniel Johnnes, the Sommelier and Wine Director of Daniel Boulud’s Restaurant Group who organizes elegant wine dinners, tastings, and seminars, has planned a full slate of online wine tastings and conversations with French winemakers from Burgundy, Champagne, and the Rhône Valley.

Quintessa
Napa Valley Winemaker, Quintessa, is launching an Instagram Live series about their biodynamic vineyard.

Wine Access
Wine Access has started a Facebook group for wine lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts to talk about wine, ask questions, and share stories.

Wine: Everything You Want to Know, Taught by a Winemaker 
This comprehensive course focuses on all things wine, from history to pairings.

Wine Hour at Home
Chefs Agency and Martins Wine Advisor have joined forces to create Wine Hour at Home, a series of live Instagram wine tastings featuring some of the wine world’s most knowledgeable pros.

Wine in 9: The Complete Wine Tasting Course
Winemaker Mike Mazey's unique guide aims to maximize enjoyment and confidence when selling, drinking, and talking about wine.

Wine Tasting: Sensory Techniques by University of California 
If you're just getting started in studying wine, this course will help you take the first steps toward understanding the physiological process of wine tasting.

Wine With Friends
Dustin Wilson is hosting a live wine tasting seminar hosted with his good friend, and fellow sommelier, Eric Railsback. 

World of Wine: From Grape to Glass 
From Grape to Glass teaches about the principles and practices of how grapes are grown and wine is made. Whether you’re a wine novice or a seasoned oenophile, you’ll learn to confidently describe wine appearance, aroma, flavor, and taste.

Vinya
Vinya is hosting weekly virtual wine tastings on its Instagram feed Fridays at 7:30 PM EST.

 

Front of the House - Dining Room Service

The Waiters Academy
The Waiter's Academy is full of classes to help new restaurant servers and experienced staff develop new skills and improve their level of restaurant service.


Management - Business / Leadership Training

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute has an extensive list of resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals.

Beginner’s Guide to Image Editing in Photoshop
If you are looking to shoot better restaurant photos for your Instagram, this series of step-by-step videos teaches Photoshop terms and definitions and gets you started with using basic tools and techniques.

Class Central
Class Central makes it easy to find the online courses from universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms, on almost any subject.


Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Online Review

If you are thinking about taking the Certified Hotel Administrator Certification exam the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute is offering a free online review class. 

Certified Restaurant Professional (CRP) Exam Review
If you are taking the Certified Restaurant Professional (CRP) Exam. Reinforce and build your knowledge of the skills and competencies tested with this free review from Serv Success.

Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Exam Review
If you are taking the Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Exam, Serv Success is offering a free online review to help you strengthen and review the skills and competencies tested on the CRS Exam.

Google Analytics
This free online Google Analytics course will teach you about how you can use Google Analytics to improve your website performance.

Hospitality Manager: Leadership
This free hospitality career training focuses on leading a team by building a positive workplace culture, aligning day-to-day operations with organizational goals, using emotional intelligence to connect with employees, and more.


Inclusive (Remote) Leadership  
This virtual workshop, taught by Vanessa Tanicien, a Facilitator at LifeLabs Learning, discusses the small changes that make a significant impact when it comes to leveraging differences and creating a culture of deliberate inclusion.

Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work 
This course aims to give you a practical guide to managing people at work. Whether you are a first-time manager in a restaurant or a middle manager in an office environment, the same skills can apply to every workplace. In the course, you will engage with HR theories and then see how they can apply to everyday operations. 

ServSafe
ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association are offering a free ServSafe Food Handler course and exam.

Social Media 101 
Constant Contact has created an online tutorial to get you started on building your social media presence across all of the top social networks.

Supervisory Skill Builders
Learn the essential skills that help supervisors contribute to the success of a hospitality establishment through this nine module course, which offers skills development for key areas including conflict management, staffing and scheduling, communication and team building.


Language


Babbel 
Babbel is a subscription-based language learning app and e-learning platform currently offering classes in fourteen languages.

DuoLingo
DuoLingo is a language-learning website and mobile app. It also offers a digital language proficiency assessment exam.

FluentU
FluentU provides language learning via real-world interactive videos.

LingQ
LingQ is a web-based language-learning system founded by YouTube polyglot sensation, Steve Kaufmann.

Memrise
Memrise is a language learning app now used by more than 40 million people in 189 countries.

Mondly
Mondly combines conversation focused curriculum, speech recognition, and bite-sized lessons that will get you fluent faster.