Kids' and Teens Cooking Classes 

We place more emphasis on food in our families these days. We want to know where our food is coming from, we know we should be able to pronounce each ingredient on the nutritional label and frozen dinners just don't cut it anymore. More parents are realizing that teaching their kids to cook helps prepare them for the future. Enrolling your child in a kid or teen cooking class or camp at The Chopping Block bring them one step closer.

Each kids' and teens' cooking class or camp includes a hands-on lesson on ingredients, sanitation, organization and cooking techniques.

All Kids & Teen Camps will be held at Lincoln Square for the fall/winter of 2021.

Kids & Teen Fall/Winter Classes/Camps

Kids

Kids 4-Day Mini Camp

Have fun in the kitchen over winter break! Budding chefs ages 7 to 11 years old will learn fundamental kitchen skills focusing on measuring, mixing, working cleanly, and working safely in the kitchen, all while exploring new and exciting foods and cooking techniques.

Day One: Italian Holiday

Menu:

• Neapolitan Pizzas with Tomatoes, Italian Sausage and Fresh Basil
• Ricotta and Herb Filled Ravioli with Parmesan Cream Sauce
• Chocolate Pudding with Whipped Cream  

Skills covered in class:

• Rolling out pizza dough
• Working with fresh herbs
• Rolling out fresh pasta dough
• Filling and shaping ravioli
• Making stuffed pasta fillings and cream sauces
• Working with chocolate
• Using cornstarch as a thickener
• Whipping cream

Day Two: Winter Comfort Food

Menu:

• Oven Baked “Fried” Chicken with Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Green Beans with Bacon
• Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Marshmallow Filling 

Skills covered in class:

• Understanding baking ingredients
• Mixing and baking cake batter
• Selecting and boiling potatoes
• Roasting green vegetables
• Marinating and dredging chicken
• Determining poultry doneness

Day Three: Holiday Appetizers

Menu:

• Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Balsamic Glaze
• Parmesan Cheese Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)
• Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Tortilla Chips
• Loaded Baked Potato Skins with Cheese, Scallions and Sour Cream  

Skills covered in class:

• Making pâte à choux
• Preparing hot dips
• Making pita chips
• Selecting and baking potatoes
• Balancing flavors

Day Four: Festive Winter Baking

Menu:

• Apple-Cranberry Crisp
• Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting and Festive Sprinkles
• Peppermint Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze and Crushed Candy Canes

Skills covered in class:

• Understanding baking ingredients
• Making fruit fillings
• Preparing streusel toppings
• Working with spices
• Preparing batter
• Making frosting
• Mixing cake batter
• Determining cake doneness
• Working with chocolate

Teens

Teen Festive Holiday Baking

Have fun in the kitchen over Thanksgiving break, and learn how to prepare seasonal and festive desserts perfect for this time of year!! Young teens ages 12 to 16 will discover new recipes they'll enjoy re-creating at home for family and friends. They will build their confidence in the kitchen and learn approachable-yet-sophisticated baking and pastry techniques, how to work cleanly and stay organized in the kitchen.

Menu:

• Apple Butter Donut Holes with Orange Glaze
• Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
• Spiced Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Meringue Frosting
• Chocolate, Cherry and Pistachio Thumbprints

Skills covered in class:

• Understanding baking ingredient functions
• Preparing batter and glaze
• Deep frying
• Working with spices
• Selecting and melting chocolate
• Cooking sugar to soft ball stage
• Whipping egg whites
• Creaming technique

Teen Festive Holiday Baking Friday, 11/26 1pm

Teen 4-Day Mini Camp

Have fun in the kitchen over winter break! Young teens ages 12 to 16 will experiment with approachable-yet-sophisticated menus that they'll enjoy re-creating at home for family and friends. Your teen will learn the basics of knife skills, cooking and baking techniques, and organizing prep work.

Day One: Italian Holiday

Menu:

• Chicken Saltimbocca (Sautéed Chicken with Prosciutto, Provolone and Sage) with Lemony Sauce
• Risotto with Parmesan and Fresh Herbs
• Tiramisu (Whipped Mascarpone and Lady Fingers)  

Skills covered in class:

• Getting familiar with Italian ingredients
• Selecting and sautéing chicken
• Determining chicken doneness
• Making pan sauce
• Working with arborio rice and fresh herbs
• Whipping cream
• Working with lady fingers
• Making simple syrup

Day Two: Winter Comfort Food

Menu:

• Meat Loaf with Tomato Glaze
• Homemade Skillet Mac-n-Cheese
• Apple Fritters with Vanilla Icing

Skills covered in class:

• Selecting ground meat
• Making glazes and icings
• Resting times
• Making béchamel
• Selecting apples
• Preparing batter
• Deep frying

Day Three: Holiday Appetizers

Menu:

• Cocktail Meatballs with Spiced Cranberry Sauce
• Flatbread with Sautéed Onions, Spinach and Goat cheese
• Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
• Baked Pimento Cheese Dip with Tortilla Chips

Skills covered in class:

• Selecting ground meat
• Making sweet and savory sauces
• Balancing flavors
• Working with and rolling out yeast dough
• Working with dark leafy greens
• Sautéing vegetables
• Preparing cheese fillings
• Making dip

Day Four: Festive Winter Baking

Menu:

• Honey-Roasted Pear and Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Individual Cranberry Custard Tarts with Vanilla Whipped Cream
• Milk Chocolate-Gingerbread Truffles

Skills covered in class:

• Selecting and roasting fruit
• Understanding baking ingredients
• Mixing cake batter
• Determining cake doneness
• Preparing frosting
• Making and baking custard
• Whipping cream
• Selecting and working with chocolate
• Working with spices

Teen Mini Camp Monday 12/20 - Thursday 12/23 2pm

Teen Mini Camp Monday 12/27 - Thursday 12/30 2pm

 *Please note our kitchens are not a gluten or nut-free environment.