Platform and Price
Apple, free app (with subscription plans offered)
RD Score
5 out of 5
Synopsis of the App Panna is a bimonthly video cooking magazine featuring master chefs. The offer: “Cook with the Masters. Master the recipes.” The app includes one free issue with additional issues priced at $4.99 each or a $14.99/year subscription.
Pros
Gorgeous food photography and beautiful high definition video.
Seasonal, whole food recipes using easily accessible ingredients.
Easy to follow seasonal recipes that are visually appealing.
Free preview issue includes 10 recipes with 130 minutes of video making the app worth a download.
Each subscription issue contains 13 seasonal video recipes.
Expertise of master chefs include the likes of Chef Rick Bayless, Anita Lo and more.
Staff of master chefs walk you through each recipe step by step delivering essential cooking techniques, engaging stories and food knowledge.
Watch all content at once like a cooking show via "Panna TV" or view it recipe by recipe
Stream or download content to access recipes on or offline.
Save favorites, make notes and add ingredients to the shopping list from the recipe's main screen.
Issue content never expires allowing subscribers to build a searchable library of recipes and videos.
Cons
Not available on Android
Video pauses anytime the screen is touched, preventing note taking or other simultaneous tasks while the video plays – a minor negative in exchange for a design that makes pausing the video easy when hands are dirty in the kitchen.
Bottom Line Panna is a clever cooking app that can help you sharpen your culinary skills in what feels like a beautifully designed virtual cooking school. Possibly as close as many will get to culinary school with a master chef, Panna is a fun, engaging app for home cooks.
Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is based in Atlanta and specializes in culinary nutrition, communications and consulting. She blogs at marisamoore.com. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
