Rooks to Cooks

Inspired by her passion for food and education, chef and teacher Shai Mandel founded Rooks to Cooks with the goal of teaching kids cooking, life skills, and important lessons they can use both in and out of the kitchen. Chef Mandel’s student-centered workshops emphasize empowerment, healthy eating, and fun.

Rooks to Cooks is the GTA’s leading culinary school for young chefs-to-be, offering innovative, high quality cooking education programs to children and youth ages 5 and up. Their experienced chef instructors provide students with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on instruction in small class sizes for optimal interaction and supervision.

Students will learn cooking skills, but they will also learn about team-work, responsibility, independence, nutrition, problem solving, and apply math and science in the real world. Imagine the value of these life skills to your child - all while expanding their palates, getting creative and having FUN! All programs and services emphasize themes of healthy eating and teach our students how to live a fulfilling healthy life. No matter your age or skill level, Rooks to Cooks has a class for you.

Rooks to Cooks Cooking Programs include:

• Summer Cooking Camps
• Winter Break Camps
• March Break Camps
• Virtual Workshops
• After School Classes
• In-School Initiatives
• Birthday Party Packages

Multiple Summer Camp Locations, including Richmond Hill at St. Matthew’s United Church, 333 Crosby Ave, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 2R5

SUMMER 2024 CAMP SCHEDULE:

• June 24th - 28th: Budding Bakers (7+)
• July 2nd - 5th: Baking for Beginners (5-8)
• July 8th - 12th: Around the World, First Class (9+)
• July 15th - 19th: Creative Cooks Sweet & Savoury (8+)
• July 22nd - 26th: Around the World, Round Trip (9+)
• July 29th - August 2nd: Budding Bakers (7+)
• August 6th - 9th: Baking for Beginners (5-8)
• August 12th - 16th: Around the World, Round Trip (9+)
• August 19th - 23rd: Creative Cooks Sweet & Savoury (8+)
• August 26th - 30th: Budding Bakers (7+)

Summer Camp information:

• Rooks to Cooks is a specialty camp that is structured like a culinary school.
• Campers work in pairs to complete up to 5 recipes per day from scratch and they will prepare their own lunches and some take home treats to share with family.
• All cooking lessons are geared toward teaching the basics, building your child’s kitchen confidence, independence and self-sufficiency, and most importantly teaching them how to navigate a kitchen safely.
• Professional and passionate chef instructors will be there every step of the way to teach and guide your child, ensuring their success every time.
• Camp activities are primarily cooking activities, however, campers take 2 daily outdoor breaks where they run camp style games and crafts.

Click HERE to find out more