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Carmel cooking camps: Classes get kids in the kitchen

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — For most districts the clock is winding down on the school year. For some kids, summer break means summer camp and there’s truly something for every kid’s interest. For example, a culinary camp for kids as young as 3 years old.

With hit TV shows like Chopped and MasterChef Junior, there’s a new interest in the kitchen for kids. Sprouts Cooking School in Carmel is helping children refine their skills and also learn more about what they’re eating each day.

The kid cooks do it all. They sprinkle, zest, level and even chop.

“One thing that we really try to work on is proper knife skills,” Stephanie Drewry said.

Drewry cooked up the idea last year and pulled all the ingredients together for Sprouts Cooking School. With a degree in education and a love for food, she said it’s the perfect recipe.

“Kids who are in the kitchen are more inclined to make healthy food choices and be more adventurous,” Drewry said.

Greek nachos are one thing on the menu and the kids are going to make everything from scratch, even the chips.

“I really try to break down recipes and make them really simplistic, so kids can be successful in the kitchen,” Drewry said.

She believes cooking can open the door for kids to work on life skills like multi-tasking and patience, helping them to rise up without even realizing they’re learning a lesson.

“We’re definitely practicing working in groups settings, so that’s a good skill that they can take to school,” Drewry said.

There’s also a lot of math involved.

“You needed three-fourths of a teaspoon, but that might not be on your ring, so what fraction could you use to make that?” Drewry said.

In the end, Drewry hopes these kids walk away with a meal made totally by them and confidence in the kitchen.

“This is a real world skill that you’re going to need to know how to do,” Drewry said.

Sprouts Cooking School has an interesting line-up of classes and camps over the next several months including a gardening class in May, Chopped camps with the infamous “mystery basket” for kids to create their own dishes, and then Italian camp and Fairy Princess camp as well.