we teach you — we feed you

About Us

About the Chefs

There is nothing more satisfying to us than putting our hearts into cooking a great meal for others to enjoy. As chefs, this is what drives us. 

Grown from a mutual respect over perfectly cooked calamari, The Culinary Studio is a partnership between Red Seal trained Chefs Jody O’Malley and Kirstie Herbstreit. Jody & Kirstie have been in the food industry for over 20 years (although you wouldn't think so!). After both completing University degrees, they set off to culinary school, in Stratford & Calgary respectively to feed their need to cook. After restaurant apprenticeships and college-level instruction, they came together to open Kitchener-Waterloo's Premier Recreational cooking school.  After 10 years of in-person teaching, The Culinary Studio evolved into a global online cooking class platform in 2020.  Jody & Kirstie quickly learned that there are no boundaries to share their knowledge, their humour and of course their love of food & time honoured cooking techniques.  Recipes taught are tried and true with absolutely no sacrifice in flavour.  You will be amazed and empowered with what you create in your own home kitchen!   The Culinary Studio motto: no cook is left behind! The Jody & Kirstie guarentee:  The Culinary Studio online cooking classes educate, entertain, and guarantee you restaurant results in your own home kitchen!

Our Red Seal Chefs

Kirstie Herbstreit

CHEF | CO-FOUNDER 

Chef Kirstie Herbstreit started her cooks training at SAIT in Calgary, after completing a 4-Year Degree in History and Religion at Wilfrid Laurier University. She began her apprenticeship under Chefs Michael Noble and Hyato Okimesku at Catch in Calgary. Born and raised in Waterloo, she returned here to complete her apprenticeship at various restaurants in Kitchener-Waterloo. After completing her Red Seal qualification, Kirstie began teaching people how to cook out of her house, at other people's homes and many other places in the community. She met Jody teaching at the college level, and the rest is history! After a freelance home-based business, Jody and Kirstie opened The Culinary Studio, Kitchener-Waterloo's first recreational cooking school.

Jody O'Malley

CHEF | CO-FOUNDER

Red Seal qualified Chef Jody O'Malley started her chef training at Stratford Chef's School, after completing her 4-Year Sociology Degree at the University of Waterloo. Her love of cooking and culture began in Europe where she lived and travelled in Germany, Spain and Ireland. Her cooking career brought her back to restaurant work from Toronto to Kitchener. Her love of the science behind cuisine started her teaching path from the high school level to teaching at Conestoga College. Jody bonded with Kirstie over properly cooked calamari and the rest is history, as the doors of the Studio opened to teach the masses how to properly cook!

How our classes work

1. Choose your class!

Browse and signup for any of our many virtual classes.

2. Ingredient Choices

Choose ingredient delivery, pick-up or source your own

3. Getting ready!

A virtual meeting link outlining any additional instructions and an ingredient list for those who have chosen to source their own ingredients.

4. The Virtual Class

On the day and time of your class - Join the virtual meeting link sent to you in your confirmation email. Everyone starts and ends together with a well-made meal.

Each class is taught by two red seal chefs. While one is demonstrating the other is watching the screens to coach and answer questions. Come cook with us!

How Our Classes Work 

1. Choose your class!

Browse and signup for any of our many virtual classes.

2. Ingredient Choices

Choose ingredient delivery, pick-up or source your own

3. Getting ready!

A virtual meeting link outlining any additional instructions and an ingredient list for those who have chosen to source their own ingredients.

4. The Virtual Class

On the day and time of your class - Join the virtual meeting link sent to you in your confirmation email. Everyone starts and ends together with a well-made meal.

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Upcoming Classes

Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian
35 tickets left
Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian

Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian

March 20 2024

Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops
35 tickets left
Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops
Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops

Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops

March 21 2024

BBQ Kick-off!
35 tickets left
BBQ Kick-off!

BBQ Kick-off!

March 21 2024

Mastering Beef Wellington
35 tickets left
Mastering Beef Wellington
Mastering Beef Wellington

Mastering Beef Wellington

March 22 2024

Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian
Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian

Easy Meal Prep: Quick & Easy Indian

March 20 2024

VIEW OUR VIRTUAL CLASSES