CocuSocial, Inc.
CocuSocial is a US marketplace founded in 2016 that connects food enthusiasts with professional chefs and partner restaurant venues for hands-on cooking, baking, and mixology classes across 30+ cities, serving both direct consumers and enterprise team-building clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What CocuSocial, Inc. does
CocuSocial, Inc. is a US-based two-sided marketplace founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York City that connects food enthusiasts with professional chef instructors and partner restaurant venues for hands-on cooking, baking, wine tasting, and mixology experiences. The platform lists classes across more than 30 US cities and 16 metro areas, with standard tickets priced between roughly $55 and $93 per person and class sizes typically ranging from 12 to 28 participants. The company operates a direct-to-consumer booking funnel through cocusocial.com complemented by a corporate/private events channel serving enterprise team-building clients.
The platform's underlying technology is a marketplace layer that aggregates class listings, instructor profiles, venue details, and gift card functionality, supporting both in-person and live interactive virtual classes. It is supplemented by three distinct commercial lines: standard cooking classes (the core offering), the Master Series premium tier featuring Michelin-star and James Beard Award-winning chefs, and a private/corporate events channel with dedicated event planning. CocuSocial also runs dual supply-side programs (40+ chef instructors and 30+ restaurant venue partners) that drive the marketplace flywheel, with partner venues earning $300-$700 in bar sales per 2-hour class and chefs earning supplemental income from 3-4 classes per week on average.
CocuSocial generates revenue through per-seat transaction fees on class tickets, private event bookings, non-expiring digital gift cards (minimum $25), and premium Master Series pricing. The company was backed by Y Combinator with a $120,000 seed round in August 2017 and remains privately held with no disclosed institutional funding since. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, CocuSocial pivoted to virtual classes via Zoom, a channel that remains active alongside the in-person business. The company currently reports 11-50 employees and serves 40,000+ participants across 2,600+ events annually with a 4.85/5 average customer rating.
CocuSocial, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CocuSocial, Inc.
- Legal name
- CocuSocial, Inc.
- Website
- https://cocusocial.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CocuSocial is a US marketplace founded in 2016 that connects food enthusiasts with professional chefs and partner restaurant venues for hands-on cooking, baking, and mixology classes across 30+ cities, serving both direct consumers and enterprise team-building clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CocuSocial, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cooking Class Marketplace
- NAICS
- Special Food Services (7223), Caterers (722320), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops (THAJAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Culinary Experiences (Chef’s Table, Home Dining, Market-to-Meal) (THAJALAH), Chef’s Table & Tasting Menu Restaurants (THAFACAG), Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)
Keywords
Where CocuSocial, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices16 records
Markets served
CocuSocial, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Class Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from per-person class bookings. Customers pay per seat for cooking, baking, wine tasting, and mixology classes held at partner restaurant venues.
- Private Event Bookings: Corporate team building events, birthday parties, and private group bookings with dedicated event planning and custom menu options.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold at minimum $25, providing prepaid credit for future class bookings. Gift cards never expire and can be redeemed for any class.
- Master Series Premium Classes: Premium cooking experiences featuring celebrity chefs (Michelin star, James Beard Award winners) at higher price points for live in-person or virtual participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Cooking Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Classes (e.g., Nikkei Cuisine, Thai, Wine Tasting) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Master Series Celebrity Chef Classes |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
CocuSocial, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CocuSocial operates an online marketplace that connects food lovers with professional chef instructors and partner restaurant venues for hands-on cooking and tasting classes. The platform offers in-person and virtual classes across 30+ U.S. cities, spanning cuisines like sushi, pasta, baking, mixology, and wine tasting, along with private corporate events, gift cards, and premium Master Series classes featuring celebrity chefs.
Product overview
CocuSocial operates as a marketplace platform connecting food lovers with local chefs and restaurants for hands-on cooking and tasting experiences. The core offering consists of in-person and online cooking classes across 30+ cities, featuring various cuisines including sushi, pasta, dumplings, Mexican, and more. The platform supplements its core classes with Master Series (celebrity chef experiences), Private Events (corporate team building and celebrations), Gift Cards, and dual partner programs for chefs (instructors) and venues (restaurants/hotels). The ecosystem connects professional chefs with participants at unique venues for 2-hour social culinary experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Master Series: A live in-person or virtual experience that allows you to cook along with world-renowned chefs and ask questions in real time. Features Michelin star chefs, James Beard Award winners, and cooking show stars.
Products and services
- Cooking Classes (In-Person) Hands-on cooking and tasting classes led by professional chefs at partner restaurant venues, hotels, event spaces, and commercial kitchens across 30+ U.S. cities. Classes cover cuisines such as sushi, pasta, dumplings, Mexican cuisine, baking, and cocktail making.
- Online Cooking Classes Virtual cooking classes where participants learn and cook along with professional chefs from their own homes. Extends the marketplace experience to a remote format.
- Master Series
Quantifiable outcome
- 40,000+ participants per year attend CocuSocial classes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CocuSocial, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CocuSocial, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CocuSocial, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Partner Restaurants (30+ cities)corePartner restaurants and venues provide physical space for CocuSocial cooking classes. Venues must have semi-private space for 20+ guests with bright lighting and availability on weekday nights or weekends. Partner restaurants receive $300-$700 in bar sales per 2-hour class and benefit from free marketing exposure and new regular customers. CocuSocial handles all logistics including equipment, setup, and cleanup at no cost to the venue.
- Chef InstructorscoreProfessional chefs join CocuSocial's community of 40+ chef instructors to teach recreational cooking and tasting classes. Chefs design their own class content and set their own schedules. Benefits include supplemental income (significantly increasing chef earnings), flexible scheduling, and CocuSocial handles marketing and student acquisition. Chefs work 3-4 classes per week on average.
- Michelin Star Chefs (Master Series)flagshipMichelin star chefs, James Beard Award winners, and cooking show stars partner with CocuSocial for exclusive Master Series experiences. These celebrity chefs conduct live in-person or virtual cooking experiences with real-time interaction and customized recipes. Classes feature step-by-step instruction accessible to anyone regardless of skill level.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CocuSocial, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CocuSocial, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceCocuSocial, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CocuSocial, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CocuSocial, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CocuSocial, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CocuSocial, Inc.
What does CocuSocial, Inc. do?
CocuSocial operates an online marketplace that connects food lovers with professional chef instructors and partner restaurant venues for hands-on cooking and tasting classes. The platform offers in-person and virtual classes across 30+ U.S. cities, spanning cuisines like sushi, pasta, baking, mixology, and wine tasting, along with private corporate events, gift cards, and premium Master Series classes featuring celebrity chefs.
Is CocuSocial, Inc. a public or private company?
CocuSocial, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was CocuSocial, Inc. founded?
CocuSocial, Inc. was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CocuSocial, Inc. based?
CocuSocial, Inc. is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does CocuSocial, Inc. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Class Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are private Event Bookings, gift Cards and master Series Premium Classes.
Does CocuSocial, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for CocuSocial, Inc..
What industry is CocuSocial, Inc. in?
CocuSocial, Inc.'s product category is Cooking Class Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAGAI, Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops, with a secondary code of THAJALAH, Private Culinary Experiences (Chef’s Table, Home Dining, Market-to-Meal). Its NAICS code is 7223 and its SIC code is 5810.