If your little kitchen helper is itching to take their skills to Top Chef level, now is the time to sign them up for some cooking classes! They’ll learn some skills that will impress their friends and you just might be able to turn over the dinner duties every once in a while. Chop, chop!
Tinker Kitchen
This Mission District cooking makerspace just opened and the cooking kids are thrilled. Founder Dan Mills, a former programmer, transitioned from hacking code to hacking food. Over the course of his own obsession with the science of cooking, he amassed an impressive collection of niche cooking equipment, including a pasta extruder and chocolate temperers. Dan outfitted Tinker Kitchen with industrial-grade ovens, burners and other staples. The space operates on a monthly membership model and members can stop in any time (except during special events) to roast cacao or flash-freeze ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Or grab a day pass and check out all the equipment before your commit. Check out the class schedule to see what's coming up!
3233 22nd St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: tinkerkitchen.org
Sprouts Cooking Club
A real culinary maven, the founder of Sprouts Cooking Club also started the first culinary club at U.C. Berkeley. She soon drew her attention to kids, founding Sprouts Cooking Club so children 7 and up could take classes after school or at your home for a cooking-themed birthday party.
Various locations
San Francisco and the East Bay
Online: sproutscookingclub.org
Dandelion Chocolate
If your little chef has more of a sweet tooth than a savory one, then sign them up for the Chocolate Explorers class at Dandelion. Here they will learn all about how chocolate is made from the pod to the brownie. Little ones ages 3-6 and their adult can take a 45-minute Apprentices class that teaches about chocolate through reading the book Sweet Coco and tasting, of course! Dandelion also offers parent-child classes where kids ages 7-12 and their adult make their own single-origin dark chocolate from scratch. Read all about it here.
740 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: dandelionchocolate.com
Culinary Institute of America at Copia
CIA at Copia offers Family Fundays most Sundays with weekly cooking classes the entire gang can enjoy together. Go to the front of the class with Sunday Lasagna, DIY Dim Sum or the holiday favorite Spooky Treats. These interactive, demonstration-style classes are perfect all ages and are comprised of family-friendly cooking techniques, all while building a recipe box for your own kitchen, and encourage your culinary dreamers to keep building that love of food.
500 1st Street
Napa, CA
707-967-2530
Online: ciaatcopia.com
Jordan's Kitchen
Organic, locally-sourced ingredients are just the beginning with Jordan’s Kitchen. Junior chefs will start by learning knife skills and kitchen safety. Then the lesson goes on to teach skills like frosting a cake or pressing hand-made tortillas. Each class ends with the best part—eating the masterpiece!
413 10th Street
San Francisco, CA
415-872-9160
Online: jordanskitchensf.com
Hidden Villa
This organic farm located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains provides hands-on education for kids of all ages. Their ever-popular Cow Wow classes (with pre-registration required as they always sell out) allow youngsters to milk a cow and see how milk is filtered for bottling. Or, make mozzarella cheese and use it with some edible flowers and greens from the farm garden in their pizza-making class.
Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Rd.
Los Altos Hills, CA
Online: hiddenvilla.org
Kids Cooking for Life
Empowerment is a big part of learning how to cook, and the mission at this cooking school is to promote self esteem and healthier lifestyles, and reversing the epidemic of diabetes and childhood obesity. Classes cover lessons on cooking, nutrition, safety and culture.
After school classes are offered through the San Anselmo and Strawberry Recreation Centers
Online: kidscookingforlife.org
Junior Chef Stars
Everything from camps to birthday parties to classes are offered at this cooking academy for the small set. In addition to honing in on the creative spirit of cooking, Junior Chef Stars teaches little ones as young as 3 about safety, “kitchen cooties” and organizing their own culinary toolbox.
Various locations
Online: juniorchefstars.com
Cavallo Point
The cooking school is housed within the picturesque Cavallo Point resort and lodge, and emphasizes local, seasonal ingredients and is led by well-known chefs, local producers and vintners. The family cooking classes get the whole clan together to chop, bake and, ultimately, eat, giving new meaning to the family meal.
601 Murray Cir.
Sausalito, CA
415-339-4700
Online: cavallopoint.com
The Culinary Dude
The Culinary Dude blends Early Childhood Education with Culinary Arts. There’s no question that a lot of learning goes on here, but with a big serving of fun. Private classes on everything from healthy snacks to recreating the favorite foods of popular pop stars are on offer. They even host toddler classes and a parent-vs.-kid Iron Chef competition.
Various locations
Bay Area
971-30-DUDES (38337)
Online: culinarydudeontour.com
Y.U.M Chefs
Y.U.M stands for Young Urban Modern and offers cooking programs for children and adults alike. Led by chef and cookbook author Leah Brooks, classes range from everyday approachable recipes to composing a full brunch feast with ingredients straight from the farmer's market.
Located inside Katherine Michiels School
1335 Guerrero Blvd.
San Francisco, CA
415-824-5123
Online: yumchefssf.org
Culinary Artistas
Located in Ghirardelli Square, this cooking school has classes for kids as young as 2 all the way up to 11. Here they learn about different culinary traditions while they make food to eat at the end of class. School break classes are offered as well as single-day options.
900 North Point Street, Suite H-108 B
San Francisco, CA
Online: culinaryartistas.com
Cucina Bambini
With two locations in Los Gatos and Willow Glen, kids have tons of opportunities to beef up their cooking skills at Cucina Bambini. Teens can learn how to make pasta while little ones bake cakes or make apple crumble with ice cream in a bag. Host your next birthday party here and your kitchen will remain spick and span!
1040 Lincoln Ave.
San Jose, CA
22 S. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA
Online: cucinabambini.com
Williams-Sonoma
Did you know that your neighborhood Williams-Sonoma store offers Junior Chef classes for kids 8-13? From American Girl-themed events to seasonal cookie decorating, these are a great and inexpensive way to get your school-aged kids interested in cooking.
Various location, see your local store for upcoming Junior Chef events
Online: williams-sonoma.com
Bliss Belly Kitchen
Kids will love Chef Neelam's focus on health-conscious, eco-conscious and soul-conscious cooking. Bliss Belly Kitchen uses locally-sourced, organic, farm fresh ingredients to teach children about the fundamentals of healthy cooking. Participants learn to source, cook and appreciate delicious recipes.
Serving Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and Marin
Online: blissbellykitchen.com
Spun Sugar
If your little chef is more inspired by sweet than savory, this is the spot for you. Kids 6-12 can attend Sweetie Camp during school breaks, or try your hand at seasonal treats at the gingerbread class this December.
Berkeley, CA
Online: spunsugar.com
—Kate Loweth, Mireille Schwartz and Erin Feher
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