Learning how to cook, or at least learning basic kitchen skills, can benefit children in many ways. They’ll learn about health and nutrition, and become more conscious of what they are putting in their body. They can learn good etiquette, cleanliness habits, and gain more confidence and independence. Cooking is also a great way to boost math, science, and literacy skills through reading recipes and pouring, measuring, baking, etc. New York has plenty of cooking classes for kids to learn all of these skills; some even have the option to take it with your child or offer separate adult classes. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites below. Bon appetit!
Chef Toni’s Cooking Adventures
Chef Toni’s Cooking Adventures on the Upper West Side aims to empower children through their classes. Children will learn about nutritious food that will improve their health, growth, and school performance. The school offers classes for children as young as 2, accompanied by parents. There are also birthday parties and special holiday events. cheftoniscookingadventures.com
Dough Re Me Kids
DUMBO’s Dough Re Me Kids offers small class sizes and hands-on training for kids aged 3 to 14. The ingredients used in class are always organic and fresh. Table manners, cleanliness, and etiquette are also reinforced, helping children build confidence and expand their horizons. doughremekids.com
Freshmade NYC
Freshmade NYC offers classes for kids and adults. This Noho program’s goal is to teach families how to make healthy food and live a healthy lifestyle through creative and hands-on classes. The classes also incorporate age-appropriate math, science, and literacy skills. Freshmade also offers parties and event space rentals. freshmadenyc.com
Gymtime Kitchen Little Cooking School
At the Kitchen Little Cooking School, Gymtime’s culinary program for kids, young chefs have fun while learning how to be healthy–the class only uses whole, unprocessed, unrefined food. The program enhances motor skills in young children and also promotes pre-math, literacy, and science skills. gymtime.net
Homecooking NY
Homecooking NY offers several class options for kids and teens. There are one-day workshops for kids aged 11 and up that focus on things like making pasta or baking techniques. They also offer week-long cooking camps that cover the basics techniques of cooking and safety while encouraging creativity. If you want to host a culinary birthday party, Homecooking will set one up right in your home kitchen. Teens ages 13 and up can sign up for the adult classes, but kids under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult. homecookingny.com
Institute of Culinary Education
The Institute of Culinary Education has world-class courses for all ages. Located in Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place, classes specialize in cuisines from a variety of different countries. Kids and teens’ class options include pizza and sushi making. recreational.ice.edu
Kids Get Cooking, Atrio at the Conrad New York
Chef Antonio Cardoso will be leading a cooking class especially designed for children ages 6-10 in Atrio Restaurant at the Conrad New York in Battery Park City this Sunday, November 1. In addition to the cooking and baking classes, kids will receive a goodie bag with a chef’s hat, apron, recipe cards, brunch vouchers for their parents. conradnewyork.com; email; Kira West at Kira.West@hilton.com to make reservations
Taste Buds Kitchen
Taste Buds Kitchen in NoMad is a kids’ kitchen by day and a BYOB adult kitchen by night, providing ages 2-99 with a culinary entertainment experience. Families will bond with each other through fun classes such as a minion cupcake workshop and pasta-making. tastebudskitchen.com/nyc
Young Chefs Academy
Young Chefs Academy provides a safe environment where kids are encouraged to be creative. Located in Forest Hills, Queens, they offer classes, a membership program, a more advanced master chef program, camps, birthday parties, and field trips. In addition to learning how to cook, the Academy teaches kitchen safety, etiquette, table setting, and menu planning. youngchefsacademy.com
