If you’re here then I expect you are either an aspiring chef looking to springboard your career or you already are a confident cook or chef simply looking to boost your plant-based cooking knowledge.
Rouxbe Plant Based Pro is one of the only vegan certification programmes available from which you can learn from the comfort of your home, wherever you may be in the world. But it is an investment and I’m certain you’ll want to know whether you’ll benefit from enrolling.
I am a trained professional vegan chef, albeit not a practising one anymore, and I relied heavily on courses like this one to help me get my foot in the door. In this Roubxe Plant Based Pro review, I am going to take you through my experience of using the platform so you can determine whether or not it matches your needs.
Pros
- You get a lot for your money
- You can start learning anytime and anywhere
- I find the course easy to follow along
- They offer a monthly subscription
- It can help you get a job
Cons
- No in-person training
- Rouxbe isn’t a vegan company
What will you learn on Rouxbe?
Rouxbe Plant Based Pro is an online vegan cooking course designed to teach you how to cook delicious, nutritious plant-based meals. The course is broken down into 6 modules, each covering a different aspect of plant-based cooking:
- Introduction to plant-based cooking: In this module, you’ll learn the basics of plant-based cooking, including ingredients, equipment, and techniques.
- Knife skills: Knife skills are essential for any cook, and this module will teach you how to chop, slice, and dice like a pro.
- Flavour development: In this module, you’ll learn how to build flavour profiles using herbs, spices, and other ingredients.
- Cooking techniques: From roasting to braising to grilling, this module covers a range of cooking techniques that are essential for plant-based cooking.
- Plant-based nutrition: Understanding plant-based nutrition is key to cooking healthy, balanced meals, and this module will teach you the basics.
- Plating and presentation: Finally, in this module, you’ll learn how to present your dishes beautifully, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious.
Throughout the course, you’ll have access to over 200 instructional videos, as well as dozens of recipes and quizzes to test your knowledge. You can complete the course at your own pace, and you’ll receive a certificate of completion when you finish.
Who should enrol on Rouxbe?
Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro is designed for professional chefs who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in plant-based cooking. It is an intensive course that will take you through everything you need to know to work in a kitchen.
If you are interested in plant-based cooking and want to learn more about the ingredients, techniques, and flavours involved, Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro is a great place to start. The course is also ideal for those who want to improve their knife skills, learn new cooking techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of plant-based nutrition.
If you are looking for something less intensive then you may be interested in the Forks Over Knives cooking course or a subscription with Veecoco instead.
My experience
In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on Rouxbe’s professional cookery course, covering both its pros and cons. First, I’ll give you a brief overview of the course and what you can expect to learn. Then, I’ll dive into the things that I liked about the course, as well as some areas where I felt it fell short. Finally, I’ll wrap things up with my overall assessment of Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro and whether I think it’s worth your time and money.
The course is really easy to follow
Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro is structured really nicely and is easy to learn from. The course is presented through a library of high-quality video-based lessons that are both comprehensive and engaging. Each lesson is structured in a clear and concise manner, making it easy to understand and follow.
Another benefit of the video-based format is that you can pause, rewind, and replay the lessons as many times as you need to fully understand a particular technique or recipe. This is particularly useful for more complex recipes, where there are several steps involved.
It makes it easy to learn new and important cooking skills that are essential for becoming a professional chef or a competent home cook, even if you have little or no prior experience, and provides a level of detail and clarity that can be hard to find elsewhere!
You get a lot for your money
Despite the large price tag, I am of the opinion that you get a lot of incredible value for your initial investment. Not only do you get lifetime access to the course, but your purchase also includes a wide range of additional features and resources that can help you take your plant-based cooking skills to the next level.
For starters, the course covers a wide range of essential kitchen skills, including knife skills, flavouring, stock making, and more. These skills are fundamental to any kind of cooking, and mastering them can really elevate your plant-based dishes.
In addition to these basic skills, the course also includes classes on nutrition, meal prepping and menu planning, cooking for different dietary requirements, and even desserts and pastry making. This means you can learn everything you need to know to become a well-rounded plant-based chef, from the basics of nutrition to advanced techniques for creating delicious and visually stunning desserts.
But that’s not all. When you purchase Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro, you also get access to a library of over 400 plant-based recipes that you can use whenever you want. These recipes cover a wide range of cuisines and styles, so you’ll never run out of ideas for what to cook.
And if you ever have questions or need help with a particular technique or recipe, you can take advantage of personalised instructor support. This means you can get feedback and guidance from experienced plant-based chefs who can help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
Finally, when you enrol in Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro, you also become part of an online community of like-minded cooks and chefs. This community is a great place to connect with others who share your passion for plant-based cooking, share tips and advice, and get inspiration for new dishes and techniques to try.
It can help get you a job
With there being very few vegan culinary schools it can be hard to get experience before applying for jobs. But getting a certificate from Rouxbe definitely helps! I was able to show this to potential employers alongside photos of my work, and I also had the confidence to speak about certain techniques and recipes.
The only thing is doesn’t prepare you for is a fast-paced service in a kitchen.
You can start learning anytime and anywhere
Another big advantage of Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro is that it is incredibly flexible and convenient. Since the course is entirely online, you can access the materials from anywhere with an internet connection. This means you can learn at home, on the go, or even on holiday (no judgement here). All you need is a computer or mobile device to get started.
The fact that the course is self-paced is another big advantage. This means you can learn at your own speed, without feeling rushed or pressured. You can take as much time as you need to master each skill or technique and can revisit lessons or modules as many times as you need to really understand the material. You won’t get this opportunity with an in-person course!
Of course, the online and self-paced nature of the course may be a concern for some people who prefer more traditional, in-person learning environments. However, Rouxbe Plant-Based Pro does offer excellent online support to help you along the way. You can access personalised instructor support, participate in live events with plant-based chefs, and connect with other students in the online community.
Plus, the course is structured in a way that encourages active learning and engagement. You’ll have the opportunity to complete assignments and participate in hands-on activities that will help you apply what you’ve learned and really solidify your understanding of the material.
Rouxbe isn’t a vegan company
Rouxbe isn’t a vegan company. They are actually a world-renowned online culinary school with a range of courses to help beginner cooks and aspiring chefs. They happen to have a few extensive courses for vegans or plant-based curious chefs.
Whilst the ‘Plant Based Pro’ course offered by Rouxbe is fully vegan, some may prefer to choose a fully vegan company to learn from. That being said, there is no other course like this offered by a fully vegan company. You do have the likes of Veecoco, who have an extensive library of cooking courses (see my full Veecoco review here), but they don’t offer a fully accredited program that will look good on your CV. This is particularly important if you are hoping to become a vegan chef.
My verdict
After having spent a lot of time trying out the lessons on Rouxbe Plant Based Pro I truly believe that you can’t get access to as extensive a curriculum as this anywhere else. It is definitely more of an investment to make than with other vegan cookery courses, but you really do get your money’s worth. Especially considering you get lifetime access to the platform.
They have also recently started offering a monthly subscription to their platform which makes it a lot more affordable. You can dip your toes in and try out the course without a huge commitment.
Speaking from the perspective of an ex-professional chef, I fully understand the importance of all of the technical skills lessons they provide. They are really easy to follow and will provide you with the confidence you’ll need to get cooking in a more professional environment, or even in your own home.
Before starting my own career I partook in many in-person courses and diplomas, and the course material provided by Rouxbe is nearly identical. The main difference is that it is held online rather than in person. This may suit some, but maybe not others. In which case, I’d recommend checking out my review of Demuth’s in-person vegan diploma instead.
Where can you sign up for Rouxbe?
Signing up for the plant-based cookery course is really easy to do. Simply head to their website and enrol. They have a one-off purchase option or monthly instalments. You can also buy it as a gift for the vegan foodie in your life. Get started by following this link below:
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