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GET COOKIN
Local camps and classes can inspire youths.
WRITTEN BY SUE EDMONDSON
There’s no better way to engage children and teens in the culinary arts than with hands-on experience. Here are some interesting and fun opportunities to get them into the kitchen:
Camps
Community education isn’t just for adults. Among those for children aged 9 and older are Kids in the Kitchen camps. Pasta and Sauces is the series’ last installment, July 28 – 30.
For details, visit http://www.Washoecommunityed.org
Most camps fill early for June and July sessions. Start planning next spring for Nothing To It Culinary Center’s Kids and Teen Cooking Camps (775-826-2628 and http://www.Nothingtoit.com), the University of Nevada, Reno’s Kids University five-day camps (http://www.Kidsu.unr.edu), and Urban Roots’ farm-to-table Culinary Adventures camp (http://www.Urgc.org).
Classes
Free cooking classes are offered at Williams-Sonoma at Reno’s The Summit mall at 10 a.m. every Saturday for 5 – 12 year olds. Topics vary. For reservations, call 775-853-6877.
Michaels offers free cake-decorating classes for youths. For times and dates, contact stores:
Reno: 775-829-8000
Sparks: 775-626-3341
Carson City: 775-267-1938.
The Healthy Communities Coalition partners with the Boys & Girls Club at various Lyon County sites for cooking classes. For details, contact Rebecca Stetson at 775-342-7675 or Sunnydayfarms@gmail.com
Lake Tahoe Community College’s Aug. 21 Master Cooking Class is for ages 15 and up. For details, visit http://www.Ltcc.edu/web/academics/culinary-arts
In-home lessons
Round up a half-dozen or so youths or plan a family lesson night, and hire a private instructor.
Rebecca Stetson takes her teaching skills on the road for group lessons: 775-342-7675.
Aubrey and Tyler O’Laskey, owners of Butter and Salt Gatherings, offer in-home cooking classes for children of all ages. A bonus: If they’re catering an adult dinner, they’ll bring children into the kitchen for an impromptu lesson. For details, call 775-450-9111.
Devour Culinary Services chef Tera Hickerson customizes classes. Pizza making is a child-friendly favorite. For details, call 775-338-0944.
The Saucy Culinarian owner Devon Fennessy offers a hands-on cooking night for children and their families. Fennessy is based at Lake Tahoe, but will travel just about anywhere. For details, call 530-314-1489.
