All culinary programs must be 100% nut free and vegetarian.
In Explore It! culinary programs, time management is KEY.
Think through your lesson ahead of time so that you can prepare adequately and – once you get to know your students – take the time to set up your lessons for their needs, strengths and interests. Be sure to decide when planning your lesson which skills (from reading a recipe, to knife skills, to decorating, plating or even stove skills and more) you want to work on with your students, so you can highlight them in your teaching.
Some notes:
- Kinders may sit in a cooking program – all other grades should stand.
- All students should understand that they need to TRY everything they make in a cooking program. They don’t have to like it all – they just have to be willing to try. Teach your students appropriate language for expressing when they don’t like something.
- A cooking program is all about cooking AND eating as a group. Food should never be guaranteed for “take-away” and student portions should be eaten in class. Left-over prepared foods may be sent home sparingly, at the discretion of the Lead instructor.
- Note that raw ingredients (left over bread not used in class for example) should never be handed out to students or sent home at the end of the sessions.
- It is important that the students are doing the cooking, and that the instructor is not doing it for them.
- As well – it is important that the students are helping with cleanup.
- Students should be eating no later than 15 minutes before the designated dismissal time to ensure there is time to enjoy the food they have cooked before heading out.
Students should be actively learning in a Culinary Program — discovering WHY we do certain things, not just how to follow a recipe or the lead of an Instructor. Turn every opportunity into a learning opportunity!
See the Culinary Program Packing List here.
Read more about knife skills and related expectations here.
Let’s get cooking! With recipes from the hottest names in the kitchen, this star-studded program showcases the passions of the most renowned chefs and their delectable, yet doable, dishes. Learn about proper technique with recipes from Gordon Ramsay, or the science of good food with Alton Brown. Explore the pure joy of cooking with James Barber, the fusion of cultures with Marcus Samuelsson, the deep love of food culture with Nigella Lawson or the impressive Food Revolution of Jamie Oliver. All of this and more will be on our plates this term as we dig into the lessons we can learn from celebrity chefs – and of course, indulge in our tasty creations. Yum!
Get ready to mix, melt, and mould your way through the delicious world of chocolate! In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the art and science of working with chocolate—from tempering and shaping to designing custom treats. Kids will experiment with flavour pairings, try out fun decorating techniques, and craft their own chocolatey creations to take home. Whether making truffles, bark, or dipped delights, this sweet experience is the perfect blend of creativity and confection. Come ready to create, taste, and celebrate all things chocolate!
Even Disney characters love to cook! From short movies to full-length feature films, characters from Disney movies are often seen sipping soups, consuming cakes or sampling any number of gastronomic delights. What are they? How were they made? How can we get a piece of that pie? Recipes such as Moana’s Tropical Smoothies, Pascal’s Pancakes, Lady and the Tramp’s Spaghetti and Meatballs, Mrs. Pott’s Raspberry-Mint Iced Tea and Aladdin’s Mast-o-Khair and more will be explored – and best of all, each week we’ll enjoy our creations together at the end of class. Be our guest in this hands-on program where we’ll get into the kitchen to create a feast!
The Emerald Kitchen: An Ozian Journey Through Food is a whimsical culinary adventure inspired by the magic of Oz! Step into a world where vibrant flavors and imaginative recipes bring the Land of Oz to life, from the golden warmth of Munchkinland’s sweet treats to the hearty, rustic dishes of the Emerald City. This engaging program blends storytelling, hands-on cooking experiences, and themed menus to transport participants beyond the rainbow. Whether you’re crafting a comforting meal after a long journey down the Yellow Brick Road or a dazzling dessert fit for Glinda’s grand feasts, each session is infused with creativity and a dash of enchantment. The Emerald Kitchen invites food lovers of all ages to explore the tastes and textures of Oz—one magical bite at a time!
The Era’s Kitchen: Cooking Through Taylor’s Albums is a fun and creative cooking class where students explore different recipes inspired by Taylor Swift’s albums! Each week, we’ll cook a dish that reflects the mood, themes, or era of one of her albums—from country comfort food to glittery pop treats. Along the way, students will practice essential kitchen skills, learn about different ingredients, and express their creativity through food. Whether we’re making “Fearless” French toast or “Red” velvet cupcakes, this class brings music and cooking together in an exciting way. No prior cooking experience is needed—just a love for good food and great music!
If you fancy tucking into a steaming hot bowl of Princess & the Pea Pasta, enjoying a cup of tea and a slab of Hansel & Gretel’s House Gingerbread, or tickling your taste buds with a dollop of Tinkerbell’s Trifle, then this is the program for you. Each week, we’ll cook a recipe – accompanied by the original book, poem or verse that inspired it – so roll up your sleeves and get ready to enjoy some delicious Fairytale Feasts this term!
Do you love to cook but crave a new challenge? Why not learn about the importance of locally-grown, in-season ingredients, and the joy of cooking your favourite treats – all from scratch? Farm Fresh is a unique cooking program with the goal of creating more discerning and knowledgeable chefs in the kitchen and beyond! Students will prepare a variety of recipes while improving basic kitchen skills and developing leadership both in- and outside the kitchen. Do you have what it takes to be a Farm Fresh Chef?
Ever wondered how to make homemade mac ‘n’ cheese that is as satisfyingly gooey and velvety-smooth? What about exploring the temperamental wonders of chocolate to make decadent treats? Or perhaps you’d like to learn about your five senses and how they can help to make you a master chef in the kitchen?! In Food Lab : Cooking with Science, we’ll focus on the science behind our most beloved dishes, delving into the interactions between heat, energy, and molecules that create great food. And – of course, we’ll eat our delicious delicacies each week! Grab your chef’s hat – let’s get cooking!
Welcome to Gabby’s Playhouse Kitchen, where cooking meets creativity! Inspired by the colourful world of Gabby’s Dollhouse, little chefs mix, mash, and decorate their way through cat-tastic culinary adventures. Each week, children whip up cheerful, no-bake recipes like rainbow fruit pizzas, sprinkle parfaits, and magical smoothies — all while practicing real kitchen skills such as measuring, stirring, and teamwork. With a dash of imagination and a sprinkle of fun, every class is a sweet celebration of curiosity, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen!
If you enjoy getting into the kitchen and exploring your creativity, this program is for you! In Kinder Kitchen, students will prepare a variety of recipes while improving basic kitchen skills and developing leadership both inside and outside the kitchen. Throughout the term, students will prepare assorted snacks, entrees and desserts; and will try new flavours to improve their skills and confidence in the kitchen. Participants will even go home with their own cookbook at the end of the program! Let’s get cooking!
Join us in this hands-on program and explore your culinary creativity when food and music collide. Kitchen parties are all about sharing our meals, welcoming our friends and having a great time in the heart of the home (or class!) gathered around the preparation of a delicious meal. Both music and food will be explored in this program week to week, through themes such as east-coast tradition, the food of rock, rapper’s delights and musical munchies. Get ready to sing for your supper this term – it’s a kitchen party!
Turn up the music and tie on your apron — it’s time to cook like a star! In Pop Star Kitchen, young chefs create colourful, music-inspired dishes each week, drawing inspiration from their favourite artists and songs. From glittery “Lover”-themed cupcakes to vibrant “Watermelon Sugar” smoothies, every recipe is a creative hit! Students learn real kitchen skills — mixing, measuring, decorating, and plating — while exploring how food can express personality, mood, and style. With teamwork, confidence, and a sprinkle of pop-star flair, this program is all about making food that looks amazing, tastes delicious, and totally deserves a standing ovation!
Calling all little chefs! Snack Masters: Fun With Food is an exciting and interactive cooking program that introduces young learners to the joys of making simple, healthy, and delicious snacks while fostering creativity, independence, and a love for food. Our sessions encourage confidence, teamwork, and curiosity in the kitchen, all while reinforcing important skills like counting, following directions, and fine motor development. Each class is packed with laughter, learning, and lots of yummy bites!
Sugar & Spice: Making Desserts Extra Nice is a fun and engaging program for young chefs who love sweet treats and creative cooking! Participants will explore the magic of making desserts as they learn simple, hands-on techniques to create delicious treats. Through easy-to-follow recipes, they’ll discover how ingredients like sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate work together to create flavors and textures. Along the way, they’ll practice measuring, mixing, and decorating, building confidence in the kitchen. This program also encourages teamwork, creativity, and a love for homemade desserts. Get ready to sprinkle in some fun and whip up something extra nice!
Welcome to Sweet Treats Cooking Club — the deliciously fun program where kids get to bake, decorate, and, of course, enjoy sweet treats! In this hands-on cooking club, children will learn how to make a variety of yummy desserts, from cupcakes and cookies to fruit tarts and ice cream sundaes, all while exploring the basics of baking and decorating. Each week, kids will follow easy and safe recipes, mix ingredients, and practice basic baking skills like measuring, stirring, and frosting. They’ll also get creative with colorful decorations, toppings, and edible art to make their sweet creations as beautiful as they are tasty. Whether it’s frosting cupcakes, decorating cookies with sprinkles, or making fruit parfaits, every child will have fun and gain confidence as they whip up delicious treats to share with friends and family!
Do you ever wish you knew the secret to making your take-out favourites at home? Now’s your chance! In Top Secret Recipes, students will explore classic recipes, discovering which ingredients make those patented flavour combinations that they know and love. Participants will develop basic kitchen skills while working together and exploring the world of food and cooking. Get ready to amaze your friends with these top secret recipes at home but -shhh!- remember, it’s a secret! (Note: all recipes are made from scratch in class and therefore reflect a healthier version than their fast food counterparts- and they’re yummier too!)
Do you love to treat yourself (or others!) to a decadent dessert? Does the thought of fruity or chocolaty desserts make your mouth water? Do you know how to make your tasty temptations beautiful? In this program we’ll explore the fantastical world of desserts and decorating, learning how to create sweet treats while making healthy and nutritious choices. From fruit carvings to icing techniques, join us and explore the world of creating delicious desserts from scratch. Best of all – we’ll get to eat our yummy creations each week!
Join us as we explore cultures worldwide – through food! In World Food Fest, we will travel around the world, sampling recipes from the corners of the globe, all from the comfort of our classroom! Students will learn cooking basics while exploring the diversity of cultures and the foods people eat in countries near and far. Best of all, we’ll get to sample our tasty treats each week! Check your bags at the door – a world of tasty creations awaits!