Cooking classes for kids
Spring 2023 Classes
To sign up for a class, click on the links below to register through Darien Parks and Rec. Each session of classes will focus on seasonal ingredients, holidays, current trends, and the class’s particular interests. All classes are hands-on.
May
Apples and Pumpkins and Ghosts, Oh No!
3-Class Series
Mondays, October 3rd, 10th, and 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Ages 5 - 12
This session is all about cooking with fresh fall ingredients. Chefs will create apple pies to bake in their own ovens.
They will learn how to turn their Jack-o’-lanterns into something delicious after Halloween is over. The class will conclude with decorating a spooky 5 1/2” Halloween cake, to bring home and share. The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach.
Fee: Darien Resident $108, Non-Residents $130.
Halloween Cake Decorating
Single Class
Sunday, October 30th, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Ages 5 - 13
Aspiring pastry chefs will meet in the Stone Hut at Tilley Pond Park to hear how trick-or-treating first began, followed by decorating a 5 1/2” Halloween cake, to take home. Fee: Darien Resident $29, Non-Residents $35
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August
Parent and Child Thanksgiving Pie-Making Single Class
Tuesday, November 22nd, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. All ages and abilities.
Each participant, adult, and child will prepare a 10” pie crust, made from scratch, as well as the fillings to take home and bake in their own ovens. This is just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Choices are pumpkin, sweet potato, or pecan fillings. This is not just limited to parents. Significant adults are welcome, with their significant child.
The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach Fee: Darien Resident $36, Non-Resident $43
November/December
Holiday Inspired Pies, Cakes and Cookies 4-Class Series
Mondays, November 28th, and December 5th, 12th, and 19th, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ages 5 -12.
The four-week series will focus on making cake-pops, pies, cookies, and cake decorating.
The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach Fee: Darien Resident $144, Non-resident $173
January/February
Stone Soup
4-Class Series
Mondays, January 9th, 23rd, 30th, and February 6th, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ages 5 -12.
It’s all about staying warm and cozy during the cold months of January and February. To get through the shortest days of the year, the participants will make soups to warm hearts and nourish souls. Samples of the soups will come home each week, along with the recipe, so the kids can remake the soups at home.
The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach Fee: Darien Resident $144, Non-resident $173
February
Winter Camp
Fairytales & Recipes:
A Creative Writing & Cooking Camp for Kids
Monday - Friday, February 20th - 24th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Ages 5 -12.
Each morning will open with the reading of a food-inspired children’s picture book. This will be followed with making and creating recipes in the SproutChef experimental kitchen. For lunch they will eat their own experiments and brainstorm what they want to write. After food clean-up, they will create, write, and illustrate their own food-inspired stories. By Friday, each participant will take home a hard copy of their completed story, along with lots of new ideas for future cooking and writing.
The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach Fees: Darien Resident $480 Non-resident $576
February/March
International Cooking Class
5 Class Series
Mondays, February 27th, March 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Ages 5 -13.
The participants will travel around the world via their taste buds. The mixed ages will work together to make French crepes, Italian pasta, Chinese noodle bowls, Mexican tacos and Indian khichari during the five weeks.
The Paddle Hut at Weed Beach Fees: Darien Resident $173, Non-resident $208
For more information about birthday parties, at-home cooking classes or questions about classes feel free to contact me.
