YesChef

YesChef operates as an online education platform focused on culinary arts, providing subscribers with access to video-based cooking classes from world-renowned chefs. The company was founded in 2018 in Israel by Steve Avery, who was inspired to create a more practical and story-driven alternative to existing online cooking classes after taking a Gordon Ramsay MasterClass. Avery, identifying as "customer 001," envisioned a platform that would combine the instructional depth of MasterClass with the intimate, biographical narratives seen on shows like Netflix's "Chef's Table."

The business model is subscription-based, offering monthly, annual, and lifetime access plans. Revenue is generated directly from these subscriptions, which grant users unlimited access to the entire library of classes on multiple devices. The company targets home cooks of all skill levels who are passionate about learning from top culinary talents. To validate the business concept before the official launch in August 2020, Avery's team ran experiments with mock websites and pre-launch sales, successfully generating over $35,000 in two weeks, which demonstrated a viable customer acquisition cost relative to revenue per user.

The platform's core offering is a collection of exclusive, high-definition video classes. Each class is a comprehensive package, typically including over five hours of video content. This features a 45-minute documentary-style film on the chef's personal story, philosophy, and inspirations, followed by a dozen or more hands-on lessons covering specific recipes and techniques. The cinematic lessons are filmed in the chefs' own homes or restaurants, aiming for an immersive and personal experience. Featured chefs include prominent names like Nancy Silverton, Francis Mallmann, Edward Lee, and Jamie Oliver. The content is designed to be a self-paced learning experience, supported by downloadable PDF recipe books.

Financially, YesChef has progressed through pre-seed funding stages, securing a total of $2.8 million across two rounds. Key investors include Founders Factory, Brighteye Ventures, and AltaIR Capital. The initial funding facilitated the production of pilot classes and the development of the digital platform, leading to its public launch.

Keywords: online cooking classes, culinary education, chef-led tutorials, video streaming service, subscription model, home cooking, recipe platform, food documentaries, culinary techniques, gastronomy e-learning, celebrity chef courses, hands-on cooking, digital media, foodies, Steve Avery, Nancy Silverton, Edward Lee, Francis Mallmann, Jamie Oliver, culinary instruction