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Type:Virtual Program, Day camp, After-school / weekend classes
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Focus:Cooking
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Cost:$160/week
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Ages:6 to 16
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Gender:Coed
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Main language:English
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Capacity:8 to 14
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Programs:View 12 available; 7 TBD
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Summary Profile
About Rooks to Cooks
Rooks to Cooks is the leading culinary school for children in the GTA! Kids learn to cook, but they also learn about nutrition, self-sufficiency, team-work, safety + more. Keep your kids busy, engaged & learning with fascinating virtual cooking programs. Experienced chefs guide them through recipes in the comfort of their kitchen while having fun interacting with peers online!
COVID-19 Response
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on our in-person camps and classes. For the safety of our campers and staff, Rooks to Cooks made the decision to offer virtual instruction only. We have successfully pivoted to offer Virtual Cooking Classes, Camps and Workshops + more! Our virtual culinary academy was built to teach our students foundational culinary knowledge and skills in a fun, engaging and interactive way.
All programs are conducted LIVE on Zoom by our experienced and passionate chef instructors. Through step-by-step instruction, your chef-to-be will learn valuable life and cooking skills as they cook their way through 5-star menus inspired by the season. While learning and practicing new culinary skills, their chefs will also share industry knowledge and theory promoting a holistic learning environment.
Zoom links, consolidated shopping lists, recipes, equipment needs, and set up instructions will be sent 1 week before your course. All savoury recipes will yield 4 servings to help with family meal prep!
Whether your child is a beginner looking to get the basics down or a budding chef eager to expand their recipe repertoire, build on their current foundation of knowledge and take their skills to the next level, Rooks to Cooks has a program for them.
View recent COVID-19 updates from Rooks to Cooks
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
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Programs, Rates & Dates
Programs and Sessions Calendar
Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Rooks to Cooks currently has 12 programs available; 7 TBD.
Filter activities :
Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 6 - 18+
Cooking$300 to $350Virtual Program,
OnlineJan 01-Dec 31 $300 - $350 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$170 to $236Virtual Program,
OnlineMay 18-Jun 27 $170 - $190 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$45 to $200Virtual Program,
OnlineJun 21-25 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJun 21-25 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 26-30 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 26-30 $45 - $200 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$45 to $160Virtual Program,
OnlineJun 28-Jul 02 $45 - $160 Virtual Program,
OnlineJun 28-Jul 02 $45 - $160 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 03-06 $45 - $160 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 03-06 $45 - $160 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$45 to $200Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 05-09 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 05-09 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 09-13 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 09-13 $45 - $200 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$45 to $200Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 12-16 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 12-16 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 23-27 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 23-27 $45 - $200 Virtual program
Coed
Ages: 7 - 16
Cooking$45 to $200Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 19-23 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineJul 19-23 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 16-20 $45 - $200 Virtual Program,
OnlineAug 16-20 $45 - $200
Financial Aid & Payment Details
Payment Options:
Deposit required with acceptance Yes Credit card payment Yes -
Insider Reviews & Perspectives
The Our Kids review of Rooks to Cooks
Lead by a professional chef in a professional kitchen, for kids with an interest in cooking Rooks to Cooks is a opportunity to be immersed in the techniques as well as the culture of cuisine. Camps stress the essentials, including navigating any kitchen safely and effectively, as well having fun, eating well, being creative, and working well with others. Sessions are nicely varied to drill down on specific skills and skill levels, from baking to international flavours, from tyro to master. Sessions are developed to appeal to growing palettes, nutritionally and culturally. As founder Chef Shai Mandel rightly notes, cooking is about much more than making good food. It requires a sense of materials, chemistry, organization, and managing complex steps and procedures. That perspective, and Shai’s ability to bring it to the fore is a strength of the Rooks to Cooks programs.
Visit camp's website
Editor's Review
Editor’s Top 3: Rooks to Cooks
Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at Rooks to Cooks
User reviews of Rooks to Cooks — Read all 6 reviews
Love the virtual workshops
Susan C. (Parent)My 11 year old son loves the Rooks to Cooks virtual workshops! This is not your usual cooking class. Real chefs teach your child how to create impressive - and delicious - recipes that strike the right balance between chal... Read More
Top notch recipes
Ayala B. (Parent)My daughter has been doing Rooks to Cooks for a few years. She transitioned seamlessly to the virtual platform and was well supported and guided throughout. The recipes are top notch and we all enjoy everything she makes. ... Read More
Amazing curriculum & techniques
Celine H. (Parent)I cannot stop raving about this program! Super patient, organized chefs take their time to teach kids to enjoy new foods and work in the kitchen. As a teacher I am amazed by their curriculum and the techniques that they us... Read More
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Location & Site Details
Address
Davisville Village, Toronto516 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4S2M2Vaughan, ON1350 Langstaff Road, Vaughan, Ontario, L4J 8P8Whitby, ON1850 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 3P2OnlineVirtual Program
Accommodations
Are meals provided? Yes
Is Rooks to Cooks technology free? Yes Personal technology (ex. smart phones, mp3 players, tablets etc) may be used during break time. If a camper would like to take a picture of his/her meals, they are welcome to, but must put their devices away afterwards.
Rentals & Services
Offers children's birthday party packages: Yes
Is your child Hungry for FUN? Book a unique and exciting Virtual Birthday Party with Rooks to Cooks!! Let us help you plan a delicious ZOOM cooking party for your chef-to-be, and make their special day extra special. Our experienced chefs will run a 1.5 to 2-hour cooking session for your kids and their friends. We will email the ingredients list and Zoom link to all participants in advance, so you can purchase all the items beforehand. Aspiring chefs will have a great time preparing and eating a scrumptious dish that they created in their kitchens, while interacting with their peers online! Please give Chef Shai Mandel a call and she would be happy to plan an amazing birthday party experience for your child.
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What's New
Director's Message
Shai Mandel, Founder and CEO
Bachelor of Kinesiology, Wilfrid Laurier University. Bachelor of Education, Wilfrid Laurier University. Chef Training Certificate, George Brown CollegeHi there, my name is Chef Shai Mandel and I am pleased to introduce you to Rooks to Cooks!
Rooks to Cooks is the GTA’s leading culinary school for children, offering a vast array of services from our award winning summer culinary camps to our new virtual after school programs, workshops and virtual camps!
As a certified teacher and professional chef of 14 years, I know there is no better way to educate and inspire youth, in all areas of life, than cooking. Learning to cook is an integral life skill and I have had the privilege of witnessing, on a regular basis, the impact that teaching a child to cook can have on their lives. It builds independence, self-sufficiency, but most importantly builds self-confidence. When a child or teen is truly confident in themselves, they are not only prepared for what life can throw at them, but they are empowered and inspired to follow their dreams.
Rooks to Cooks is not your typical youth cooking program. Our culinary school offers innovative, high quality, hands-on culinary programs unparalleled by others of similar nature. What sets our program apart is simple, we are experts in culinary education for children and take a holistic approach to culinary education. With a team of certified teachers, holistic nutritionists, mental health advocates and real chefs, our curriculum not only teaches youth how to cook and the why’s behind the practical skills, but in the process they learn a whole lot more! By participating in one of our awesome programs, your child will learn culinary skills, 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!
In our inspiring, creative and educational classes, your child will have a fulfilling, exciting virtual experience with our top-notch professional instructors and like-minded peers online. We keep our class sizes small (1:8 chef to student ratio) and are constantly striving to provide exciting new recipes and new skills for our students to learn! Our focus is on offering the best quality culinary programs that provide significant life-long skills and value to our students and families. We invite you to join us and experience our outstanding classes!
Sincerely,
Chef Shai
About Chef Shai Mandel: Shai has a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree, as well as an Ontario Teaching Certificate and a Chef Training Certificate. Over the past 6 years, Shai and her team have had the privilege of teaching over 7,000 students how to cook through summer camps, after school programs, birthday parties, workshops and private lessons. www.rookstocooks.ca
In the News
February 7, 2021
Join Rooks to Cooks for a Free Valentine's Day Baking Workshop
Rooks to Cooks is showing appreciation + love to community with FREE Valentine’s Day workshop for kids & families on Feb. 12/21... Read More
March 23, 2020
Rooks to Cooks NEW Online Cooking Videos for kids
Join Rooks to Cooks WEEKDAYS starting Mon. March 23 at 11AM for their New ONLINE Cooking Videos for Kids on YouTube.... Read More
January 10, 2019
Summer Cooking Fun at 12 GTA Locations
Rooks to Cooks is thrilled to offer their Summer Cooking Camps at 12 convenient GTA locations. 10 delicious sessions available!... Read More
Stories
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Learn a lot and have fun too!
"A few days late but I just wanted to say how much my daughter enjoyed the Budding Bakers Sr. camp with you and your helpers. She learned a lot and had a ton of fun. She really enjoyed the pop-up restaurant challenge. We loved it too! Yummy! Thank you to you and your team for making the experience so much fun and so positive. Looking forward to more cooking adventures on the horizon :-)"
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Picky Eaters No More!
"My kids absolutely loved Rooks To Cooks and chef Shai!
If your kids are picky eaters, you should definitely try this class - chef Shai will get them to try anything, and I mean anything! By the end of her class, my child, who would only eat pasta (no sauce), made his own sushi and ate it too!
The summer camp is also great, the pop-up restaurant at the end of the week is awesome. It's a full scale production and kids have a blast.
Definitely recommend it!"
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From Rook to Cook
"My 6 year old daughter just completed a week at Rooks to Cooks and loved it! She developed a real interest in cooking and will definitely be returning next year. Chef Shai is amazing and I would highly recommend this camp!"
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Inspiring
"My 10yr son just completed a week of Rooks to Cooks and had a fantastic time! He learned so much and really enjoyed every bit of it. This camp was well organized and I am so impressed with the meals they made. Chef Shai and her team did a great job inspiring the kids to want to learn more about cooking and help out with meals at home! I highly recommend this camp. :)"
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Restaurant
"Great class, the restaurant at the end really helped complete the week and taught us all how a real restaurant operates. All the recipes are amazing. Thanks Chef Shai"
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Pie Birthday Party
"Rooks for Cooks did a wonderful Pie Making Class for my daughter's birthday party. The girls loved it, as did my husband and I!! Chef Shai and her team are fun, engaging, organized and professional. I would definitely do it again!"
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Pie Class
"I took a pie making class with Shai and she was incredible. I had cooked and baked my whole life but she taught me specific things about dough that I never knew. Not just for pies but for other baked goods as well. Now that I know, I always use her techniques. And everybody now loves my baking!!"
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Slam-Dunking Doughnuts
"Shai is an AMAZING teacher! She's funny, welcoming and has an answer for every question. While teaching me to make some killer donuts she even taught me a bit of the chemistry involved, which I really enjoyed (and it's not easy to make chemistry interesting). Gotta give her a 5/5 :)"
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From Prep to Plating
"In just a couple of hours, I learned so much about cooking. I never thought I'd be able to make better dumplings than the one's I'd get from my favourite restaurants. From prep to plating, you remained patient and thoughtful - you are very passionate about teaching people how to cook. I can't wait to learn more from you!"
Show all stories
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Learn a lot and have fun too!
Thank you for using Our Kids.
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998.
Thank you for your interest in Rooks to Cooks. They will be in touch with you shortly.
Thank you for using Our Kids.
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998.
Thank you for your interest in Rooks to Cooks. They will send you information about this session:
Thank you for using Our Kids.
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998.
Questions about Rooks to Cooks?
