For all the burgeoning bakers and chefs that COVID has created, Australia’s Queen of Chocolate Kirsten Tibballs has been on hand to assist. Since lockdowns started around the world more than six months ago, Kirsten has been delivering new online chocolate classes every week to a virtual classroom of students that has boomed, with numbers increasing dramatically during the pandemic.

As the owner of the world-renowned Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School in Melbourne, Kirsten established online classes seven years ago. The virtual tutorials were created in order to engage with legions of fans and aspiring chefs around the country and world, who were unable attend the school in person – but never did she imagine the following she would amass in 2020.

Kirsten says of the recent increase in interest surrounding her online classes, “It has been fascinating to see such growth and interest in my online classes during the lockdown period, from not only professionals, but avid home cooks. I hope that through my online classes, I’m able to bring a sense of joy to those at home and that they too, find comfort in the simple pleasures that cooking and baking can bring in such difficult times.”

Since launching her online classes, Kirsten has created over 350 video tutorials, with a new online class released on a weekly basis and each including a downloadable recipe. With something for everyone, the Savour online classes have been designed to appeal to all skills sets, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, and everyone in between. As part of the online offering, there are also video tutorials to assist with those wanting to further develop their technique, artistry or cake decorating skills. And with guest appearances from some of the world’s most esteemed pastry chefs, the online classes have been designed to inspire and entertain as well as teach.

For fans, home bakers and connoisseurs, Kirsten continues to reveal the secrets behind some of her most famous desserts including her MasterChef Australia challenge dishes Trio of Fruits and her most recent Meljito creation. Or for those looking for some tropical inspiration, Kirsten’s Luana coconut and banana cake is inspired by the rise in popularity of homemade banana bread during isolation.

A series of 15 festive online classes has just been released, offering recipe ideas from gifts to treats to a gingerbread house and Christmas tree that make the perfect family activity (or challenge!). A subscription to Savour’s online classes is also a great gift option for anyone that has an interest in cooking, baking, or patisserie.