The Cook’s Warehouse is located in Atlanta and offers up some great cooking classes for kids as well as adults. For the Valentine Day holiday they have a lot of great special events going on that we think our Georgia based readers would love!

Cooking Class Calendar

2/4/12, Valentine Treats for Kids Hands On (Ages 3 to 5), http://bit.ly/tT6GGp

2/5/12, Valentine’s Day Cake Pops Hands On, http://bit.ly/wpqzsA
2/5/12, Back Home Baking for Valentine’s Day Hands On, http://bit.ly/zoNCAj

2/6/12, Virginia Willis with Atlanta’s Table Presents: French Kiss, http://bit.ly/yjcKhI

2/7/12, 50 Ways to Feed Your Lover Hands On, http://bit.ly/xIjO1N
2/7/12, Red Hot Chilis, http://bit.ly/yPpyuX

2/8/12, Superfoods for Life: My Little Valentine, http://bit.ly/zlf4zi

2/9/12, Couples Cooking for Valentine’s Day Hands On, http://bit.ly/zML8I0

2/10/12, Wine Makes the Meal: A Valentine’s Celebration, http://bit.ly/wzxeX4

2/11/12, The Taste Club: Red for Valentines, http://bit.ly/wByTeB
2/11/12, Love Potion 214 Hands On, http://bit.ly/zdnVsZ
2/11/12, Dazzling Date Night Hands on, http://bit.ly/wfEzWF
2/11/12, Valentine’s Dinner Date Hands On, http://bit.ly/ylnqsO
2/11/12, Les Petits Macarons: French Confections Hands On, http://bit.ly/ABI6tO

2/12/12, A Valentine’s Brunch Hands On, http://bit.ly/AjGL0n
2/12/12, A Sweetheart’s Brunch Hands On, http://bit.ly/xRHMkd
2/12/12, Romantic Brunch For Two Hands On, http://bit.ly/xr8Rlm
2/12/12, Romantic Tuscan Valentine Brunch Hands On, http://bit.ly/zTchbv

2/14/12, Valentine’s Date Night Hands On, http://bit.ly/xuVPeL
2/14/12, A Romantic Valentine’s Meal for Two Hands On, http://bit.ly/yGZHrC
2/14/12, A Dinner Affair to Remember Hands On, http://bit.ly/zCUJl8
2/14/12, Dinner for Sweethearts Hands On, http://bit.ly/z8XbuR

Cooking With Kids Series – UACCH is proud to partner with the Hempstead County Extension Office to bring you a new and exciting series of classes! These classes provide an opportunity for budding chefs to have fun in the kitchen, along with a parent or grandparent! Students will learn fundamental kitchen skills, focusing on measuring, mixing, following recipes, kitchen safety, and healthy food choices. Each month will have a unique theme, where each child/adult team will make 2-3 exciting food items to enjoy! Sign up for each class individually, or enroll in all three classes!  Limit of 12 children per class. You MUST pre-pay for this class! NO WAIVERS-all fees go toward food costs. Call Nancy at 870-722-8102 for more information.

Cooking with Kids-October: Spooky Snacks!

Thursday, October 27                         5:30-6:30pm for ages 5-8                    $15/child

Thursday, October 27                         7:00-8:00pm for ages 9-13                  $15/child

Technical and Industrial Building, Conference Room

Cooking with Kids-November: Fall Festival of Food!

Tuesday, November 15                       5:30-6:30pm for ages 5-8                    $15/child

Tuesday, November 15                       7:00-8:00pm for ages 9-13                  $15/child

Technical and Industrial Building, Conference Room

Cooking with Kids-December: Christmas Extravaganza!

Thursday, December 8                        5:30-6:30pm for ages 5-8                    $15/child

Thursday, December 8                        7:00-8:00pm for ages 9-13                  $15/child

Technical and Industrial Building, Conference Room

This meeting is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 13 without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify UACCH as soon as possible prior to the activity.

Continuing Education – Community Service Registration Form

For more information on community classes at UACCH, please call 870-722-8102.

(Information taken from the uacch.edu website)

Get your child excited about cooking! Henrietta’s Table, a restaurant that specializes  in New England Cooking is offering some special kid only cooking classes. This February your little one can work with Chef Peter Davis and his sous chefs to become little kitchen experts.

The classes will be held as follows:

February 5: Ice-Cream
February 12: Breakfast
February 19: Grilled Local Cheese and Tomato Soup
February 26: Chocolate Dipped Delights

Parents can enjoy 10% off lunch while their child enjoys the class, or you can stay and watch your chef in action. The classes are held on Saturdays from 12:30pm – 2pm and the cost is $20 per child. Children 6 and up are recommended.

TO RSVP please call then at 617.661.5005 – please let them know Cupcake Kid Cafe sent you!

Visit Henrietta’s Table online at http://henriettastable.com/news_events/

The Cook’s Warehouse has for many years held cooking classes for kids of all ages, including “Iron Chef-style” competitions.  The classes are very popular and virtually every class sells out.

Below are the class offerings from the Summer 2010 quarter.

Regional Tastes Hands On Series for Kids (ages 6 to 9) July 20-23
Hey kids, how would you like to travel across the country?  Chef Carlin wants to take you away!  No, you won’t leave Atlanta, but your taste buds will.  Join Chef Carlin in the kitchen as she teaches you to prepare favorite dishes from around America.  All students will receive gifts sponsored by two of the world’s best manufacturers of kitchenware, WMF and Kaiser.

• Day 1 – The Southeast: Southern Oven Fried Chicken, Cheese Garlic Grits, and Strawberry Jam Cake
• Day 2 – The Southwest: Cheese Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers; Black Beans and Rice: and Cool Lime Pie Frappes
• Day 3 – The Northeast: New England Fish Chowder, the Best Blueberry Muffins and Cheesy Apple Pie in a Glass
• Day 4 – Favorites for Friends and Family: You will prepare a favorite meal for your guests (limit 2) from all of your favorite dishes you made this week.

Regions of the U.S. Series Hands On for Kids (ages 10 – 17) July 12-16
Hey, how would you like to take a trip across the United States?  There’s no need to pack a suitcase because you won’t be travelling by plane, car or even train.  Instead, the ingredients and spices on your plate will whisk you away!  Explore different regions and flavors as you prepare cuisine from all corners of our great nation.  You will also have a chance to compete for the coveted “Cook’s Warehouse Kid’s Iron Chef Atlanta” title.  The winners will receive gifts sponsored by two of the world’s best manufacturers of kitchenware, WMF and Kaiser.

• Day 1 – The West Coast: Iced Apple Tea, Herbed Salmon, Apple Cabbage Salad, and Lemon Ginger Cake with Blackberry Curd Filling
• Day 2 – The South: Pineapple Mint Julep, Shrimp and Grits, Gina’s Turnip Greens and Hummingbird Cake
• Day 3 – The Midwest: Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potato Casserole, Sautéed Green Beans and German Apple Pie
• Day 4 – “Cook’s Warehouse Kid’s Iron Chef Atlanta” competition
• Day 5 – Favorites for Friends and Family: You will prepare a favorite meal for your guests (limit 2) from all of your favorite dishes you made this week.

Summer’s Bounty Hands On for Kids (ages 6 to 9) Sept. 11, 2010
Even though school is back in session, there is still time to play!  Grab an apron, roll up your sleeves and get ready to have some fun.  Today you will join Chef Carlin in the kitchen were you will learn to make Baked Baguettes with Lemon Garlic Butter, Stuffed Chicken Caprese and Country Fruit Stand Salad.  Don’t miss the chance to let your creative side shine – sign up early.

End of Summer Hands On for Kids (ages 10 to 17) Sept. 18, 2010
Back to school and back to the kitchen for one class that is fun and delicious!  If you’re ready to make a delicious meal that will wow your family and friends, this class is just for you.  Show your loved ones what you can do with the summer’s best fruits and vegetables.  Today you will learn how to make Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup, Basil Pesto Cupcakes, Garden Vegetable Crustless Quiche and Peach Melba Crisp.  Sign up today.  These classes always sell out.

The Cook’s Warehouse is greater Atlanta’s premier gourmet cookware store and cooking school with three locations in Midtown, Decatur and Brookhaven.  It offers more than 15,000 products for the kitchen and operates the largest avocational cooking school in the Southeast, conducting more than 600 classes yearly, often taught by local chefs, and has a large web-based delivery-by-post site.

Owned and operated by founder Mary S. Moore, The Cook’s Warehouse also retails high-end appliances; conducts private cooking classes for unique celebrations and corporate events, and is a pro bono partner with virtually every major cooking event and gourmet association in Atlanta.

Registration is online at https://www.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/Public/classes.asp

The most important part of any Cooking School for your kid is that they have FUN! Once it becomes too educational you know they will quickly see it is a a chore and not fun time.

Before you spend the “dough” on a cooking school be sure you evaluate the interest of your child. I did not enroll Rachel in a cooking class until I saw her watching cooking shows on TV (particularly Rachael Ray!) and until I saw her take an active interest in cooking at home.  After some time I decided she was ready! Since I myself am not much of a cook I knew giving her a real place to go and learn the proper way to cook was an important part of her education and learning life skills I could not offer her.

Here are a few things to look for when choosing a cooking school to send your child too:

1) Make sure the location is fun. Our facility is filled with color and is very kid friendly!

2) Meet the instructors. Make sure they are warm and friendly and seem open and personable. You will have questions along the way so make sure they have an open communication policy.

3) Meet the owner – our owner Lyle is WONDERFUL and friendly. This WILL make a difference in the staff and experience as a whole.

4) Variation in classes. Make sure they offer a large variety of cooking techniques from baking to boiling to dicing and chopping – the schedule should be one that includes many styles of cooking as well as cooking from different countries.

5) Be sure they allow you to sit in from time to time so you can evaluate  your child’s level of interest. If you are spending money and they are bored – then it is time to move on!

These are a few of the important factors to consider when choosing the right school. We got lucky with ours – and I could not have asked for a better experience for Rachel and I hope you are just as lucky in your search!

Rachel attends the Young Chefs Academy in our hometown – they have locations throughout the United States but each are independently owned and operated. We will be compiling a list of schools in the near future so stay tuned!