Beginning Simply

Junior Cooking Classes

Beginning Simply is now offering Junior Cooking Classes!

What better way for your child to:

  • take more ownership of their nutrition and eating habits,
  • develop their palate (learn to season, taste test, appreciate healthy foods, etc…)
  • build life skills (not just cooking, but also planning, prep, clean up, teamwork, and safety), AND
  • get excited about helping around the house!

Plus, cooking provides a healthy alternative to the technology addiction epidemic facing today’s kids.

Perfect for:

  • Junior chefs who want to get more serious in the kitchen 🙂
  • Kids who think they don’t like healthy food
  • Aspiring Foodies
  • Kids whose busy parents need help getting dinner on the table

Class options available:

Each class features a special ingredient category and a specific technique (See below).

Level 1: 5th-7th grade (1 1/2 hours)

  • Stir Fry and Rice
    • Learning about Asian flavors and knife skills
  • Soups
    • Students’ Choice of Lentil, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Pumpkin, or Split Pea – Features classic “mirepoix” training, flavor layering, and blender use and safety – immersion and regular
  • Homemade sausage (for pizzas, gravies, breakfast patties, Italian meatballs, and more!)
    • Featuring American classic spices and how to make and use your own spice mixes
  • Healthy Casseroles
    • Featuring classic marinara techniques, pasta alternatives, and lots of cheezy goodness! – Including an intro to goat cheese and homemade Sour Cream
  • Healthy Snacks/easy desserts
    • Homemade popcorn, microwave muffins and brownies
  • Slow cooker and Braising
    • Healthy meals when you don’t have a lot of time – Meat safety and food prep in advance (Options: Chicken, beef, or pork)

Level 2: 8th grade + (2 hours)

All classes include instruction on how to stock a healthy, versatile pantry, plus meal planning and food prep in advance so that meals are quick and easy.

  • Stroganoff
    • Slowcooking and Braising techniques, plus Homemade Pasta and Sour Cream!
  • Soup
    • Clam Chowder in Sourdough bread bowls
  • Salads, dressings, and homemade croutons
    • Featuring students’ choices: Caesar, Ranch, Bluecheese, Balsamic, spicy or creamy coleslaw, honey mustard, assorted vinagrettes
    • Learn to love salads again, plus homemade croutons and how to keep your dressings healthy and delicious
    • Focus Technique: emulsifying
  • Sauces and marinades (Learn the art of grilling and brine-ing, and make your own secret ingredient barbeque sauce and ketchup)
  • Homemade Mexican Chorizo + Salsa verde (Bring authentic mexican flavors to your home kitchen)
  • Desserts (Fruit cobblers with homemade icecream – Learn the secret ingredients to unctious pie fillings and make it simple and even more delicious with pie crust alternatives – plus quick, rustic )

Other options by request: Spanish paella, Hummus and Naan, Greek Falafel and Gyros with Taziki, Spanish churros and chocolate, etc.

Pricing:

  • $20 / single class / student
  • $55 / three classes / student
  • $100 / all six classes / student

Classes must be paid in advance to reserve your spot. Message on Facebook for more information!

Space is limited to 7 students per class.  Students registered for all 6 classes get priority placement!

Want private classes or in home options??

Check out the party page for more details!