Seattle chef Joel Gamoran, also the CEO of Homemade, is known for hosting online cooking classes and a TV series on PBS. He is currently working on raising more funds to support his passion for cooking and to further develop his idea of creating a product centered around “culinary medicine” to help people stay healthy through his cooking classes. A recent SEC filing revealed that Homemade has raised about $1.5 million in new funding, which will be used to enhance ongoing projects and launch new initiatives.
Homemade offers live, free cooking classes to a global audience, with each class attracting up to 3,500 viewers. From happy hour bites to burgers to desserts, the classes cover a wide variety of cooking techniques and recipes. Gamoran expressed excitement over the increasing numbers of viewers and engagement in the classes, noting that 98% of viewers stay until the end of the 45-minute class. The online classes have been viewed by more than 4 million people, indicating a growing interest in Homemade’s content.
In addition to online classes, Homemade also produced the first season of a cooking series for PBS called “Homemade Live!” The show is filmed in front of a studio audience at the company’s headquarters in Seattle. The new funding will support the production of season two of the series, scheduled for this summer. Gamoran’s ultimate goal for Homemade is to develop a product focused on “culinary medicine” that can help individuals with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, develop healthier eating habits through cooking.
Gamoran envisions a future where cooking classes can be prescribed as a form of medicine, empowering individuals to maintain their health through whole foods and responsible cooking practices. He aims to collaborate with partners in preventative health, such as healthcare providers and insurers, to promote the benefits of cooking in improving overall well-being. With a team of five employees and several contractors, Homemade is working to expand its reach and impact in the culinary world.
Several key hires, including Ben Friedman as COO and Lauren Locke as head of brand partnerships, have bolstered Homemade’s team. The company’s content is now available for free on Alaska Airlines, allowing passengers to enjoy cooking classes while in the air. Gamoran, an advocate for healthy cooking and mindful eating, hopes to continue developing Homemade’s platform to support individuals in making positive lifestyle choices through cooking. With a growing audience and new opportunities on the horizon, Homemade is poised to make a significant impact in the culinary world.
