VR Training For Cooks

Immersive VR Training For Cooks

Teaching Cooking Skills Through Virtual Reality

We partnered with Vancouver Community College to create a VR training for cooks tool that helps students master core kitchen techniques in a safe, repeatable, and engaging environment. Using hand-tracking and realistic kitchen simulations, learners can practise skills, make mistakes, and learn faster without wasting ingredients or risking injury.

An engaging and retentive cooking simulator vr experience that would bridge the gap between information in a text book, and cooking in a real kitchen. It was also important that the focus of the VR training for cooks was on the skills and techniques within each recipe, rather than just being a generic cooking game.

Virtual reality is often aligned with the console gaming world, however its uses and value in training students or employees is often overlooked. Although there are benefits to traditional classroom and text book teaching, technology such as VR is an undeniably useful tool in both the workplace and the classroom. What better way to train the chefs of tomorrow than via VR!

The Solution – VR Training For Cooks

Understanding base recipes is key to being a successful chef. Working with a VCC subject matter expert (also a chef) we defined what the key learning points were for each of the five recipes we created.

Then using point-of-view videos of the chef cooking each recipe, we storyboarded each one to ensure all of those points were captured, and be reflected in the gameplay. This process also meant distilling the VR cooking environment to ensure the user remained focused on how to make the recipe, rather than being distracted by novelty of using VR.

We also implemented steps that can easily go wrong, such as the Hollandaise Sauce breaking if you combine the butter and water too quickly, or even the Choux Pastry becoming too slack if the eggs are added too fast.

The real impact of vr culinary training

The final result was an immersive, fun and educational training experience which guided the user through 5 recipes, and allowed them to test their knowledge with two additional advanced levels. It was a key objective that the VR training for cooks experience reflected cooking nuances.

Students found the experience great value, and a rewarding learning experience particularly with the ability to repeat the vr cooking training without needing to purchase ingredients or be concerned about waste.

To aid the learning, we also developed screens within the VR training for cooks that reinforced important steps through images and interactive metres, such as a balance metre for the flavours in ceviche; we made these to be visual aids so that the students could internalise the lessons within each recipe, and remember them when they cook in real life.

We then paired the in-game UI with voice overs that not only explained each step in virtual reality cooking, but we also worked with the chef to ensure the voiceover also contained any other important information that the students needed to learn, therefore mimicking the learning environment at the college.

Our end result was an immersive, fun and educational training experience which guided the user through 5 recipes, then allowed them to test their knowledge with 2 harder difficulties. The chef we worked with was impressed that we captured the important learning points for each recipe, as well as including many of the details and nuances that he’d spoken to us about throughout the development process.

The Benefits of Virtual Reality Training

Virtual reality (VR) training offers a proven way to develop skills through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. By simulating real-world environments and scenarios, learners can practise tasks safely, repeat exercises without risk, and build confidence before applying their skills in real situations. This approach improves knowledge retention, student engagement, and decision-making, while reducing training time and resource costs. From healthcare and construction to corporate learning, VR training provides a scalable, measurable, and highly effective solution for modern workforce development.

Contact Us About VR Training For Cooks

Are you looking to create a VR training for cooks experience that uses gamification mechanics for effective learning and engagement? Then feel free to drop us an email at info@sbanimation.com, or give us a call on +44 (0)207 148 0526. We would be happy to help.

If you are unfamiliar with the virtual reality production process, this blog post What to expect when you work with Sliced Bread might serve to help you, it provides a complete guide on how we typically approach our projects, from concept to final delivery. It also provides information on how we structure our fees and plan the production schedule.

We also post industry related content to our LinkedIn company page, why not give us a follow?

Some FAQs About VR Training For Cooks

1. What is immersive training for cooks?
Immersive training uses virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) to simulate real kitchen environments. It allows culinary students or professionals to practise recipes, techniques, and safety procedures in a realistic yet risk-free space improving skill retention and confidence before entering a live kitchen.

2. How does VR cooking training benefit learners?
Learners can interact with virtual ingredients, tools, and equipment, receiving real-time feedback on timing, hygiene, and technique. This hands-on experience reinforces muscle memory and supports different learning styles, helping trainees build consistency and speed without wasting ingredients or resources.

3. Can immersive training replace traditional kitchen teaching?
Not entirely. Immersive training complements traditional instruction by bridging the gap between theory and practice. It prepares learners for practical sessions, ensuring they understand processes and safety protocols before handling real equipment or working under pressure.

4. What equipment is needed for VR culinary training?
Learners typically use standalone VR headsets such as the Meta Quest. These systems allow full interaction without needing a PC connection, making deployment easy across multiple classrooms or training sites. Content can be updated remotely and scaled to accommodate new recipes or modules.

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