Sweet and surprisingly good — just the kind of classes you want for your kids, right? Cooking classes not only satisfy the hunger burning in your little ones’ tummies but also their desire to make something of their own. We especially love getting kids in the kitchen as the holidays approach. Here are some fun places for kids and families to get hands-on experience learning how to cook and bake
Photo courtesy of Turnip the Heat
Turnip the Heat
Turnip the Heat has a cooking class for just about anyone who can mix up some batter. Preschool “cooking and tasting” classes for ages 3-5 are meant to introduce young minds and taste buds to new ideas and flavors ($10). Family classes like the upcoming Festive Fall Foods ($38) allow kids 8 and up to participate on their own or for parents to tag along. All classes end with an opportunity for the young chefs to sit down and enjoy the feast together.
Locations vary
503-317-2287
Online: turniptheheatcooking.com
Sur La Table
This kitchen company’s bread-and-butter is classes for adults, but kids can get on the action too. In fact, “Spooktacular” Halloween classes for kids Ages 8-14 are coming up. The whole family (ages 6 and up with participating adult) can get in on a Family Fun: Sweet Holiday Gifts class that makes chocolate peppermint bark, homemade marshmallows and cinnamon-coated graham crackers. Sounds like sticky good fun. Winter break also brings a 5-day cooking class for kids 8-12, with a tour through Mexico, Italy, Asia, America and a final day all about chocolate.
1102 NW Couch St.
Portland, Or
503-295-9685
Online: surlatable.com
Photo courtesy of The Merry Kitchen
The Merry Kitchen
Plenty of holiday fun is had in Julie Merry’s Merry Kitchen. Fall brings baking with apples and a full Thanksgiving dinner family class, and December brings gingerbread house making and edible gift making. Families can expect lots of fun themed classes designed to engage even the most hesitant chefs. The Star Wars and Harry Potter classes are sure to be a hit and might even turn your culinary skeptic into a fan of cooking. Register early, because classes do sell out. Note: family classes are held at a different location for more space. Classes are available for ages 3 and up.
5202 NE 72nd Ave.
Portland, Or
503-946-8357
Online: themerrykitchen.com
Portland’s Culinary Workshop
If your kid is serious about learning to cook (or serious about having fun and eating), send them to Portland’s Culinary Workshop. Classes for kids 8-12 and 6-12 include the principles of cooking, pasta from scratch, Thai food, vegetarian and vegan food and cookies and pies. Most classes last 2 hours and cost $45.
807 N Russell St.
Portland, Or
503-512-0447
Online: portlandsculinaryworkshop.com
Blake’s Decorette Shop
The Decorette Shop is all about beautiful and bountiful sweets, so it’s no surprise that their classes are the same. Upcoming kids’ classes include volcano cake, Halloween candy making, cookie decorating and cupcake decorating. Be forewarned: you might have a hard time leaving the store without buying some cookie cutters or specialty sprinkles.
11945 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, Or
503-620-5100
Online: decoretteshop.com
Photo courtesy of Nourish Northwest
Nourish Northwest
Need a palette cleanser after all that holiday indulgence? Nourish Northwest transforms whole foods and local and seasonal ingredients (yay veggies!) into healthy choices your kids will love to eat. Take one class ($30) or a four-class series ($100) in the Cooking Around the World series. Ages 7-12 are recommended and dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Note for gluten-free families: The Everything Pumpkin series is gluten-free.
4418 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, Or
503-234-7280
Online: nourishnorthwest.com
Have your kids had a blast learning to cook at a local class? Let us know in the comments!
—Kelley Gardiner
