Online education company MasterClass offers a vast curriculum geared towards an engaged base of subscribers, providing educational and inspiring classes taught by the world's greatest minds. This is especially valuable right now, as individuals are looking for ways to stay entertained and informed during the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the many experts that is a part of MasterClass’ list of instructors is James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel. The Cronut creator and owner of Dominique Ansel Bakery teaches an online pastry class exclusively through the platform, providing essential techniques for classic French pastries and desserts such as the perfect croissant and chocolate mousse cake.

“The idea of taking on traditional French pastry can be intimidating for a lot of people,” says David Rogier, co-founder and CEO of MasterClass. “As with all our classes, we wanted to give people a way to learn from someone that they wouldn't have had access to otherwise. Dominique is the best in the world at what he does and the perfect instructor to teach students French pastry — not just the foundation but also how to be creative and break the mold, which is what he is known for.”

Ansel’s course is available for individual purchase at $90 for lifetime access, or for $180 as part of an annual subscription for all MasterClass courses. Students will get to see why the accomplished pastry chef has been honored by a wide variety of publications, including being named one of Business Insider's “Most Innovative People Under 40” and Vanity Fair France's “50 Most Influential People in the World.”

“Food is a necessity, but pastry and dessert is always a choice. Pastry, to me, has a very emotional connection with people, and teaching the fundamentals of pastry is a combination of both science and art,” says Ansel. “This class is not just a typical class, it will open your mind to think of food and pastry differently.”