Accommodations

Cooking with Class at Luxe Resorts

Last updated 4th June 2018

 

With kids cooking programs like Junior MasterChef still on the rise,  it is clear the nation’s obsession with cooking doesn’t just apply to grown-ups. Upscale resorts across the USA and beyond have introduced culinary classes for kids of all ages. We’ve rounded up our faves.

 

The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

Located just outside Miami, The Biltmore Hotel’s Culinary Academy runs cooking classes for the whole family. In the “Family Fun Cooking Class,” pint-size chefs and their parents will learn how to make a delicious assortment of dishes from meatballs and pasta to sandwiches and cupcakes. There’s also a hands-on kids cooking camps for ages 9-16 all summer long.

The Essex Resort & Spa, Essex, Vermont

This stunning 18-acre resort lies at the foot of the Green Mountains in Lake Champlain Valley. Its cooking academy runs Camp Cook, special week-long kids camps for chefs-in-training to expand their palates and try out new flavors and ingredients in a fun, low-pressure environment. They also get to create their own cookbook and do a fieldtrip to local farms. There’s plenty of time to let off steam and swim, play on the ropes course and collect eggs from the resident hens. Meanwhile the rest of the family can enjoy the spa, tennis courts and array of other activities on offer.

Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee

Blackberry Farm is a small luxury resort set 4,200-acres in the idyllic Smoky Mountains. Renowned for its cuisine, it is the ideal vacation spot if you’re looking for gorgeous accommodation, farm-to-table dining and countless activities and adventures for all the family.  There is a comprehensive kids cooking program for young foodies, either as part of Camp Blackberry summer camp (age 4+) or in their annual Kitchen Full of Kids event with cookbook author Helen DeFrance held in summer. This includes a three-hour kitchen session followed by three hours outside spent planting, harvesting, fishing and foraging!

The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

The luxurious Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel caters to junior jet-setters with an one-of-a-kind experiences available through their Peninsula Academy. Kids can sign up for The Young Pastry Chefs Academy choosing either The Joy of Cupcakes (age 6+) or Cookies Monsters (age 4+) experiences with Executive Pastry Chef Stephanie Boswell in the hotel’s pastry kitchen. They’ll don kid-sized monogrammed chef uniforms and learn the basics of baking and decorating, and kitchen safety techniques during a 1.5-hour class.

Ritz-Carlton New York, White Plains, Westchester

The Crème de la Crème Junior Chefs Academy at Ritz-Carlton Westchester, located in White Plains just outside New York City, is perfect spot if you’re looking for a family staycation away from the city. Junior Chefs (aged 11 to 18) can participate in a series of exclusive seasonal baking workshops with expert pasty chefs and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island, Georgia

The historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel located on Georgia’s Golden Isles offers an annual three-day cooking camp to introduce kids to the culinary arts. Budding chefs will learn the basics, enjoy hands-on cooking and watch demonstrations by the team of culinary experts.

Atlantis Paradise Island, Paradise Island, The Bahamas

Aspiring young cooks will be transformed into Atlantis Adventure Chefs through the Atlantis Paradise Island’s COOKS@PLAY program for 6 to 12 year olds. As well as hands-on experience kneading, whisking, mixing, rolling and even airbrushing on chocolate techniques, they’ll create tasty surprises such as molten chocolate or try their hand at pretzel twisting. Meanwhile, mom and dad can enjoy some downtime at the spa, the pool or the beach!

 

Written by Janine Clements