La Cuisine Has Kids Classes on the Menu

Kids like cooking and teaching them how to cook is a great way to cultivate healthy eating while sneaking in a little math and science with a dash of art.

is an Old Town staple that’s been in business for more than 40 years, offering cooking tools and ingredients to amateur and professional chefs. It added children’s cooking classes to its mix a few years ago, and two classes are on tap this summer.

Designed for children ages 7-11, the classes teach kids how to prepare four dishes, which they sit down and enjoy together at the small shop.

The teacher, Alicia Cherry, went to culinary school and then went on to get a degree in elementary education, making her skills sets a perfect match for cooking with kids.

Store owner Nancy Pollard told Patch that La Cuisine staff started the kids cooking series after they began talking about their concerns over children's eating habits, worrying “about kids not knowing how to do anything except pop something in the microwave.”

But Pollard said recently she’s seen a real change in kids wanting to prepare their own lunches, and the classes are a “great way for kids to socialize” around quality food and not junk food.

“I think it’s a change that both parents and kids want,” she said.

On July 22, Cherry will teach students how to create a tea party. The menu will feature sandwiches, raspberry-infused tea and butter mints.  Each child goes home with a vintage teacup and saucer along with a booklet of recipes.  

 On Aug. 19,  the kids’ class focuses on small plates and an appetizer menu. Her students will learn to make mushroom and swiss cheese tarts and crab salad tarts, tortellini kabobs, mini trifles and a sparkling drink.

Class size is limited to six and parents do not stay during the class. The cost is $55 for the food, recipe booklet and a bag of tools to take home

More kids classes throughout the year are planned.