Let the Flour Fly! Fall Cooking Classes for Budding Chefs

Cooking

As early as he could hold a spatula and reach the bowl, my son saddled up to my husband in the kitchen. It started with icing (licking) homemade Christmas cookies and then evolved into mixing and beating other goodies, putting pasta in the pan and checking the oven through the door to see if things looked to be browning up inside.

Cooking with children can, of course, get messy, depending on the ingredients, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. How many of you have seen old pictures of yourself or your sibling covered in flour? Whether it’s dessert or breakfast, kids should get to know their way around the kitchen and help with the clean-up (insert eye roll). Even better, they can explore their culinary curiosity at one of several kid-friendly cooking classes this fall around Northeast Florida.

Panera’s Bakers-in-Training (BIT Kids), various locations
Panera’s Bakers-in-Training program introduces children to kitchen essentials and the fundamentals of baking. Kids can try their hand at the craft of bread making by stretching and scoring two French baguettes – one to bring home and one to donate to people in need. They’ll also decorate their own cookie. Group classes (between 10-15) are recommended for children ages 5-12. You pick from a variety of days and times, just make sure to schedule three weeks in advance. Registration is $20 per child and kids go home with a baking hat and apron.

Meet, Make & Celebrate at Alleycakes
Alleycakes Bakery in Neptune Beach has recently opened up a studio next door just for hosting baking classes for adults and kids. From cake pops to macaroons, your little chef will love it! Most scheduled events are for kids 7 and up, but you can host your very own baking party for your little and their friends!

Publix Apron’s Cooking School, Mandarin
We are lucky enough to have a Publix Apron’s cooking school in Mandarin and there are a ton of kids cooking classes scheduled for the fall. Bring up to three kids (at least 4 years old) and learn to make and decorate gingerbread houses from November 25 – December 24. Little Italy comes alive on October 8 at 10 a.m. where kids will learn to make timeless Italian classics. From December 26-28, Apron’s is hosting a three-day culinary kids camp focused on the three core meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Williams-Sonoma, St. Johns Town Center
Calling all American Girl lovers! Williams-Sonoma is hosting an American Girl-themed, hands-on pancake-making class on October 15 at 9 a.m. through its Junior Chef Classes. Cost is $40 per child and includes an American Girl for Williams-Sonoma Pancake Kit, while 30% of the proceeds get donated to No Kid Hungry! Suitable for ages 8 and up. Themes change regularly – previous classes included a Fall baking class. Think Pumpkin spice cupcakes and aromas. Register by calling the store at 904-998-4304.

Another one to check out though nothing formally on the calendar for the fall is Native Sun on San Jose Blvd and Maggiano’s, St. Johns Town Center. The American Culinary Federation in St. Augustine is also full of culinary resources on their website, and even offers a Young Chefs Club for members ages 18-27.

Hopefully one of these classes looks appetizing. Fortunately for me, my husband is Italian and loves to cook – now I see where my son gets it. Everything he knows in the kitchen, he learned from his grandmother and still pulls out her recipes many nights a week. Mangia!

Let us know if we missed any of your favorite cooking classes around town!

Kerry Schicker
Boy mom. Household CEO. Corporate leader. Outdoor lover. Social seeker. Sun worshipper. Curious traveler. Champagne enthusiast. These words describe me, Kerry Schicker, and contributor for Jacksonville Mom. I first approached founders Vicky and Megan after a heartbreaking miscarriage a few years ago. I had a very unpleasant experience with my OB at the time and I needed to get it off my chest so I wrote an anonymous blog that resonated with some of our readers. I have since written dozens of blogs mostly about motherhood. I have a passion for writing. My 20-year career has grown through some form of writing including TV news reporting and producing, magazine publishing, public relations, advertising, marketing, blogging and my current day job doing HR and employee communications for a Fortune 300 FinTech company. I am thankful that Jacksonville has such a supportive community for moms like me, and I can't imagine raising my two boys anywhere else.

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