schoolhouse-kitchen-and-studio15bb22ba

Spring Break Cooking Camp - A Hands-On Way to Build Confidence

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:08:13 GMT

Why Spring Break Cooking Camp Is th e Perfect Investment for Your Child

There’s something powerful about kids making something with their own hands, especially when it’s something they can eat and share. Cooking encourages independence and problem-solving while helping kids build confidence in their abilities.

At camp, kids practice real kitchen skills like measuring, mixing, chopping, and following recipes. Each task gives them the chance to try something new, take small risks, and see their efforts turn into something delicious. That sense of accomplishment can make a huge difference in how kids feel about learning and trying new things.

When a child proudly says, “I made this myself,” that confidence carries far beyond the kitchen.

A Safe and Inclusive Place to Learn

At Schoolhouse, we believe every child deserves a space where they feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn. Our instructors focus on creating a welcoming kitchen environment where kids can try new things, ask questions, and grow at their own pace.

Whether a child is brand new to cooking or already loves helping in the kitchen, our goal is to make sure every camper feels included, capable, and ready to cook.

Making New Friends in the Kitchen

One of the best parts of camp is the sense of community that forms when kids cook together. The kitchen naturally encourages teamwork (passing ingredients, sharing tools, and celebrating each other’s creations.)

Kids often bond quickly over a shared project, whether they’re shaping dough, decorating desserts, or laughing over a messy mixing bowl. These small moments help build friendships and social confidence in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

A Full Day of Creativity, Cooking, and Connection

Spring Break Cooking Camp is designed to keep kids happy, active, and engaged all day long.

Campers start their morning by cooking up their very own lunch together. In the afternoon, they dive into baking and pastry projects, creating a sweet homemade dessert while practicing skills like measuring, mixing, and decorating.

Every day is different, and each week is packed with new recipes and hands-on projects, so kids are always discovering something new.

But the day isn’t just about cooking. Campers also enjoy games, crafts, and free playtime to keep the energy balanced and fun flowing. When the weather cooperates, the group may even head to the local park for fresh air and outdoor play.

A Meaningful Way to Spend Spring Break

Spring break is the perfect opportunity for kids to explore new interests and build life skills outside of the classroom. Cooking camp offers more than just a way to fill the day, it gives kids the chance to gain confidence, develop creativity, and form friendships that can last well beyond the week. And of course, they’ll go home with something even better: the joy of creating delicious food all on their own.

Give your kids a playful, hands-on day in the kitchen this spring break! Filled with creativity, learning, and plenty of fun along the way.

Kitchen Superpowers: How Food Helps Our Bodies

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:10:12 GMT

What Is Medicinal Food? Learning Through Indian Cooking

In ancient India, people believed that food and nutrition were the cornerstone of good health. Healers and everyday people made sure their bodies were consuming and digesting foods properly, allowing them to keep their minds sharp, their bodies in good health, and lead happier lives. Indian spices were not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. Indians also put a large emphasis on the types of food they ate, making sure there was a balance between fermented, raw, and cooked foods. These traditions have lasted thousands of years, with people still actively practicing them today.

At Schoolhouse, we love teaching our students our recipe for Chana Masala. This recipe highlights ingredients that help not only your hunger but also your heart, health, and nervous system. All of the spices originated over 5000 years ago across Asia. For many students, Indian flavors can feel unfamiliar, but cooking recipes from other cultures with your kids helps them understand the importance of ingredients and foods , and allows them to watch the process of combining flavors they are not familiar with.

Ginger is a great example of a food with medicinal properties. You can eat the root in foods like curry or soup, or drink it in teas or smoothies! Consuming ginger can help with nausea and indigestion. The next time you feel car sickness, try eating a ginger chew! Ginger also helps with treating and preventing sickness, this property is boosted when you eat ginger with garlic, like in our Chana Masala.

Turmeric is a bright yellow powder derived from the root-like stem of a flowering plant. It stains very easily, and can be used to dye cloth or hair! Turmeric is great for helping your immune system and your stomach. It does not have a strong scent or taste on its own, but kids can dip their finger in to see how the powder naturally stains their skin. You may recognize turmeric from the trendy “golden milk” this drink has been used for centuries in India, and is referred to as haldi doodh (turmeric milk).

Chana Masala includes other medicinal spices such as coriander, black mustard, and cumin seeds. All three help with inflammation, lower blood sugar levels, and improve heart health. Each seed has a different shape, color, and smell. When cooking together, let your kids crush, touch, taste, and smell the spices! It is such a fun sensory experience. Coriander seeds are the seeds of cilantro, another ingredient in Chana Masala!

Indian foods and flavors can feel unfamiliar or confusing to children, but working together to understand each ingredient allows your child to see how and why Indian dishes come together. I’ve found that when students first start cooking Chana Masala at Schoolhouse they are nervous about the ginger, garlic, or onion, but once they see everything cooking together, and taste the medley of flavors, they understand the delicious and beneficial nature of Indian food. Cooking foods from other cultures together opens the door to kids trying and experimenting with new cuisines.

Make this recipe at home, find our recipe here!

Blog written by: Zalia Maya, Schoolhouse Instructor

Maddi’s Fridge: Bringing Food Insecurity to Children’s Attention

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:07:18 GMT

Maddi’s Fridge: Bringing Food Insecurity to Children’s Attention

While we spend a lot of time focusing on our children’s learning and activities, it’s easy to take for granted a basic need that many kids still struggle with: having enough food. The children’s picture book Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt doesn’t shy away from this topic. Instead, it uses a story of friendship and empathy to open conversations about poverty, hunger, and the importance of support. For families, Maddi’s Fridge offers a wonderful way to raise awareness and inspire action within your children.

Maddi’s Fridge is the story of two friends, Sofia and Maddi, who go to the same school and live in the same neighborhood. However, their home lives are very different. While Sofia’s fridge is full of food, Maddi’s fridge sits empty because her family can’t afford groceries. Sofia learns of her friend’s dilemma, and suddenly, the issue becomes real and personal. Sofia is troubled, because she doesn’t know whether she should keep her friend’s secret, or speak up to find her help. Her dilemma brings attention to a question many children face when they see hunger in their community. The book includes a section with practical ways children and families can help. There’s also information on anti-hunger resources and how to get involved.

Maddi’s Fridge is an honest look into struggles that many children in every community face. Nearly 14 million children in the U.S. currently live in “food insecure” homes, meaning they can’t consistently access enough nutritious food for a healthy life, and some studies estimate that close to one in five children struggle with reliable access to food. Food insecurity doesn’t just affect hunger. Not having reliable access to food can affect children’s health, growth, and development.

When approaching a topic like food insecurity, parents often struggle with how to have age appropriate conversations with their children. Maddi’s Fridge can help you take the first steps to allowing your children a look into this topic.

Read the book together, then talk with your child. What would you do if you were Sofia? How would you help a friend like Maddi?

Support local food pantries. Many children in communities across the U.S. rely on these resources when food at their homes can be uncertain. Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio has held Soup + Bread Nights to support local food pantries. Some of the local food pantries we support are:

- Irving Park Food Pantry

- Beyond Hunger Oak Park

- Nourishing Hope

Normalize discussions about food insecurity. Let your kids know it’s okay to talk about food insecurity, and to ask for help if they see someone who needs it!

With ongoing economic changes and rising food costs, food insecurity remains an ongoing challenge. For many families, the choice between paying bills and putting food on the table is real. Books like Maddi’s Fridge remind us that hunger doesn’t always look like what many expect. It can happen to kids in class, your neighbor, or a friend you meet in the hallway.

By bringing awareness through storytelling, Maddi’s Fridge can help cultivate a generation that doesn’t turn away from hunger, and instead chooses to take action.

Cooking with kids is another powerful way to continue the conversations that Maddi’s Fridge begins. At Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio, children don’t just learn how to measure, mix, and cook. They learn where food comes from, how it’s shared, and why it matters. Cooking together creates a hands-on, judgment-free space where kids can ask big questions about food, access, and fairness while working side by side with peers and adults.

When children prepare meals together, food becomes more than something on a plate, it becomes a shared experience. In a community kitchen setting like Schoolhouse, kids see firsthand how food can bring people together, support neighbors, and spark empathy. These moments help normalize conversations around hunger and community care, reinforcing the idea that everyone deserves access to nourishing food and that even small actions can make a difference.

Listen to the Maddi’s Fridge audiobook here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To07TjBnrNY

Blog by: Madeline Norbut

Why After-School Cooking Classes Are a Smart Investment for Your Child

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:05:16 GMT

After nearly 10 years of teaching, I’ve noticed a pattern: parents who love cooking are eager for their kids to join in, while those who see it as a chore often don’t realize how much their children can gain from cooking classes.

I often hear concerns like:

“My child is a picky eater. They don’t touch vegetables and won’t eat anything in that class.”
“They’re not interested in cooking. They just want to make cookies and brownies but don’t want to cook meals.”
“They have food allergies and won’t be able to taste anything in the class,”
“They’re too young—it’s not safe for them to be in the kitchen yet.”

But in practice, these are the kids who benefit most. Here’s why:

Picky eaters try new foods.

Kids are far more likely to taste food they’ve helped prepare. Cooking gives them pride and ownership, which naturally sparks curiosity.

Cooking is about more than cooking.

Classes feel like science experiments, art projects, and teamwork all in one. Along the way, kids practice math, science, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Confidence grows.

Making something from scratch is empowering. That confidence carries into school, friendships, and healthy lifelong habits.

A safe, supportive space.

Without the pressure of home mealtimes, kids relax, experiment, and learn resilience through mistakes.

The bottom line: After-school cooking classes aren’t just about food—they’re about helping kids become capable, curious, and confident.

Give your child the chance to learn, create, and have fun after the school day ends! Our Afterschool Cooking Classes are more than just a way to keep kids busy. Plus, they’ll bring home tasty creations to proudly share with the family!

More Than a Meal: How Family Cooking Fosters Health, Confidence & Connection

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:48:14 GMT

Mealtime is magic in disguise! Cooking and dining together isn’t just about nutrition, it’s a powerful gateway for modeling healthy eating, building communication, emotional support, and creating habits that last a lifetime. Here’s why it matters so much.

Nourishing Bodies with Nutritious Meals

Let’s say together more fruits & veggies equals less processed food ! Families cooking together often choose healthier ingredients. Home cooked meals tend to be richer in whole foods and lower in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats.

Want to know a better way to improve weight and heart health ? Regular family meals are linked to lower obesity rates and better cardiovascular health, especially when meals are prepared at home.

Boosting Mental Well-Being Through Shared Meals

Ready to lower anxiety and depression? Adolescents who eat regularly with family experience significantly fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Let’s build resilience and self-esteem! Shared dinners foster emotional resilience, higher self-worth, and academic confidence.

Strengthening Family Bonds

Here’s a better way to build communication skills! The dinner table is a safe space to practice listening to others and engaging in fun games that spark conversations. Through family meals, children learn dialogue and emotional expression.

How can you provide emotional support and routines for your family you ask?

Today’s research shows gathering at the table with family offers stability and routines that buffer stress during uncertain times.

Cooking Together Builds Confidence & Life Skills

Cooking programs boost kids’ culinary skills, willingness to try new (often healthy) foods, and independence!

Creating meals collaboratively fosters problem-solving, pride, and a sense of shared accomplishment, not to mention it’s fun!

Tips for the family!

Age appropriate tasks in the kitchen can be measuring and stirring to plating and garnishing.
Kid approved recipes are colorful, flavorful dishes that encourage exploration (think veggie-loaded pizzas and smoothie bowls).
To encourage conversation focused cooking, integrate chat prompts that spark connection and laughter while you cook.
Always celebrate every success, no matter how small, each dish and each shared moment at the table is an opportunity to build confidence and connection.

Here’s a fun conversation starter for the table we like!

What type of signature recipe, what would our family be?

Remember, by cooking and eating together, families:

Nourish bodies with wholesome, nutritious meals

Silence stress and provide emotional “home base” for everyone

Empower children with life skills and kitchen confidence

Deepen relationships through shared rituals, conversation, and joy

At School House Kitchen + Studio, our goal is simple: make the kitchen a welcoming space where families grow healthier, happier, and closer, one meal at a time. Interested in family friendly recipes, conversation guides, or setting up your own cook night at home? We're here to help you make every dinner count.

About the Author -

Maryam Khalilah

The mission of Heal Thy Life Center is simple: Our mission is to empower women & girls by providing holistic health and wellness support that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. We are dedicated to advancing women's health through comprehensive nutrition education, accessible mental health resources, mentoring and compassionate maternal care. We believe every woman deserves to thrive, and we are committed to creating a world where women are empowered to lead healthy, fulfilled lives at every stage of their journey.

Resources -

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/family-meals-eat-together-thrive-together.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.parents.com/recipes/tips/unexpected-benefits-of-eating-together-as-a-family-according-to-science/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=family-meals-more-than-good-nutrition-1-2152&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Back to School: Creating a Family Dinner Routine

cheryl@iloveschoolhouse.com (Cheryl Knecht) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 02:50:47 GMT

Family Dinner will give kids something to look forward to after a long day. You'll enjoy the quality time, too!

Kids love connecting with you in the kitchen!

Parents can start planning now for meaningful family meals by including kids in everything from picking recipes to preparing the food. While it might feel like extra work at first, involving kids in cooking can actually ease common mealtime challenges—like picky eating—and help build skills and confidence. Even toddlers can pitch in with simple tasks, and by elementary school, kids can chop, measure, and mix with a little support. When kids help cook, they’re more likely to try new foods, and mealtimes become a chance to connect, explore, and unwind together. Cooking as a family brings joy, routine, and something everyone can look forward to at the end of a busy day.

Tips on how to include kids in mealtime.

Choose a recipe together

Kids love being included in meal planning. Choose a cookbook off of the shelf, go to the library to find a new cookbook or browse recipes online. It's a fun way to explore food together.

Let's go shopping!

Engage kids at the grocery store! Ask them which color pepper they'd like to try or to choose a different shaped pasta for the macaroni & cheese. The grocery store is more than an errand - it's an adventure.

Let's get cooking!

Break recipes down into tasks that kids can do. Washing produce, measuring ingredients, chopping and mixing are all great tasks for small hands. Older kids can do more cooking with your support.

Set the table

Invite kids to make the dining area a fun place to eat. They can make decorations, try some cool napkin folds, choose the music or the seating arrangements. They'll be much more likely to want to spend more time at the table if they feel proud of their contribution.

Finally... relax together

Make mealtime a sacred space by putting away phones and including everyone in the conversation. This time can be just for you and the kids to share what you learned while away from each other. Ask open-ended questions and model active listening for your kids while you enjoy your meal.

Talk about the meal!

Ask questions like:

Why did you choose this recipe?

What do you like about this recipe?

What would you do differently next time we make it?

Do you like the texture, color, flavor?

Encouraging critical thinking will keep your child interested in the meal.

Enjoy this recipe for Chana Masala & Homemade Naan!

It's a Schoolhouse favorite and we hope you and your family love making it... and eating it together.

DOWNLOAD RECIPE HERE

We've added tips for including kids in the kitchen in each step. HAPPY COOKING!

Celebrating Mobile Kitchen Projects Culinary Programming for 2024-25

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:07:22 GMT

Chicago’s Partner for Culinary Programming for Kids

At the Mobile Kitchen Project, we bring everything but the kitchen sink, literally! This past school year, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to serve over 250 students each week across the Chicago area through our hands-on culinary classes and family dinner events.

When we launched in 2023, we weren’t sure what to expect—just a handful of classes? A few schools? Fast forward to today, and MKP is now running more than 20 classes every week, with schools eagerly signing up and partners asking us to expand.

Our mission is simple and powerful: to bring the joy of cooking and food literacy directly into schools and communities. With kid-tested recipes and practical culinary skills, our programming is designed to inspire a lifetime of confidence in the kitchen. While also helping kids explore the deep connections between food, culture, and the environment.

Led by our team of enthusiastic instructors, students chop, sauté, season, and taste their way through fun, meaningful lessons that build more than just kitchen know-how. From learning to follow a recipe to sharing a meal with classmates and family, these experiences foster independence, creativity, and connection.

Behind the scenes, a lot of care goes into making every class a success: thoughtful planning, gathering ingredients, prepping materials, and showing up with energy and intention. It’s all worth it to create memorable and enriching experiences that stick with our students long after the last bite.

While the impact of this work can be hard to measure, we see it in the spark of excitement when a student tries something new, the pride in plating a homemade dish, and the joy of learning through food. These are the seeds we’re planting—ones we trust will grow into a deeper appreciation for nourishment, community, and self-confidence.

As we look ahead to our summer programming, we’re proud of what we’ve built and deeply grateful to all the schools, families, and partners who make this work possible.

Interested in bringing MKP to your school or organization?
Let’s cook up something great together! Get your school or organization involved.

A Cookbook for My Son

cheryl@iloveschoolhouse.com (Cheryl Knecht) — Tue, 27 May 2025 19:05:54 GMT

It’s a strange thing, watching your kid graduate from high school.

I remember how strange it was when he began kindergarten. How would he get through the day without me (or how would I get through the day without him?) This is the same feeling, just more intense. He’s making plans to move to Utah to snowboard, rock climb and backpack in the mountains that he loves. It’ll be a time of self discovery and adventure and I know he’s ready for this big step. I’ve watched him grow into someone who’s smart, thoughtful, and capable. But as I stand in the kitchen making dinner, one thought keeps circling: Did I teach him enough about cooking?

Cooking has always been a quiet but steady part of how I show up for my kids. It’s not about elaborate meals or picture-perfect dinners—just the basics that help you take care of yourself and the people around you. The kind of cooking that gets you through the week and brings everyone to the table including friends and neighbors. I want him to leave home with a book of our family recipes that I hope he’ll find useful and comforting as he builds his own life.

We’ve had a lot of time in the kitchen together, even if it didn’t always look like “lessons.” When he was little, it was mostly about fun—helping stir, rolling dough, making a mess. As he got older, it became more practical. I tried to work on the essentials: knife safety, how to make pizza and bread dough, the magic power of a crockpot, and how to make a simple pasta sauce without it coming from a jar. I wanted him to feel capable, not overwhelmed.

Now that he’s getting ready to move out, I’m putting together a small cookbook for him to take. Just a binder of simple recipes—things we’ve made together, meals he already likes, a few tips written in the margins. Not because I think he needs to be a perfect cook, but because I want him to feel like the kitchen is also a place of self discovery and creativity.

I know there will be frozen pizzas and takeout tacos. That’s part of the deal. But I hope he also remembers how satisfying it is to cook for yourself, even if it’s just a simple fruit crumble or a pot of chili shared with roommates.

If he keeps a few solid recipes, a good knife, and the habit of cleaning as he goes, I’ll count that as a win. I’ll know I’ve done my best, though, when he makes me dinner in his new apartment and it tastes like the home we’ve shared for so long.

The author and her son, Cedar.

How to Include Kids in Cooking

cheryl@iloveschoolhouse.com (Cheryl Knecht) — Tue, 06 May 2025 19:13:27 GMT

Getting kids involved in the kitchen is a fun and meaningful way to build their confidence, independence, and curiosity about food. Whether they’re helping pack their lunch, choosing groceries, or creating a new snack with just a few ingredients, even the smallest tasks can make a big impact. Encourage creativity, allow room for messes, and take the time to teach them how tools and ingredients work. Establishing simple cooking rituals—like baking together once a week or planting a few herbs—can turn everyday moments into learning experiences. With the right guidance and a little patience, your kitchen can become a place of joyful exploration for kids of all ages.

Raising Confident Cooks: Simple Ways to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen

Create a ritual → Cook or bake together once a week. Help them learn how to properly scoop flour or teach them about why baking soda is added to a recipe.

Let them use tools → Supervise them while they turn on the blender, food processor or use a kid’s knife while chopping veggies. Foster their independence!

Start a small garden → It can be as small as a basil pot or as large as a garden bed. Kids will learn the responsibility involved in taking care of herbs and veggies, and be rewarded by using them for a recipe at home.

Watch cooking shows together → Shows like “Junior Baking Show” or “My Word Kitchen” are wonderful resources for kids to learn about cooking skills and culture. YouTube has lots of videos too!

Let them help → Show them how they can help you when preparing their lunch or snack.

Let them be creative → Give them 3 or 4 ingredients and let them prepare a new snack or sandwich.

Let them choose items for groceries → Go through foods in the fridge and pantry and let them decide on 2 or 3 fruits or vegetables that they would like to add to the list.

Let them get messy! → Kids lea rn best when they are allowed to make a mess. Spilling flour, cracking eggs outside of the bowl, spilling batter while mixing, these are all opportunities for them to learn and fall in love with the process of cooking.

How to Include Kids in Cooking

The Excellent Egg

cheryl@iloveschoolhouse.com (Cheryl Knecht) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:26:48 GMT

Most eggs we eat are from hens.
Egg farmers in the United States produce around 100 BILLION eggs each year. That is enough to wrap around the earth 5 times!
90% of Americans have eggs in their refrigerator right now.
The color of an egg’s shell, such as brown or white, matches the color of the hen's earlobe.

Eggs are a nutrient dense source of protein that can help us feel full.
Eggs are a complete protein, which means it provides all 9 essential amino acids our body needs to build and repair muscles, tissues, and cells.
Each egg provides 4-6 grams of protein, depending on its size.
Eggs are rich in choline which is important for memory and brain function and development.
Eggs are rich in vitamins A, B2, B6, and B12 which are important for brain development, the nervous system, eye health, and immunity!
Eggs also provide biotin which is great for skin, hair, and nail health.
The yolk of an egg provides vitamin D and makes the body able to use lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants (think super powers for your cells!) to protect your eye health!

schoolhouse-kitchen-and-studio15bb22ba

Spring Break Cooking Camp - A Hands-On Way to Build Confidence

Why Spring Break Cooking Camp Is th e Perfect Investment for Your Child

A Safe and Inclusive Place to Learn

Making New Friends in the Kitchen

A Full Day of Creativity, Cooking, and Connection

A Meaningful Way to Spend Spring Break

Kitchen Superpowers: How Food Helps Our Bodies

What Is Medicinal Food? Learning Through Indian Cooking

Maddi’s Fridge: Bringing Food Insecurity to Children’s Attention

Maddi’s Fridge: Bringing Food Insecurity to Children’s Attention

Why After-School Cooking Classes Are a Smart Investment for Your Child

Picky eaters try new foods.

Cooking is about more than cooking.

Confidence grows.

A safe, supportive space.

More Than a Meal: How Family Cooking Fosters Health, Confidence & Connection

Mealtime is magic in disguise! Cooking and dining together isn’t just about nutrition, it’s a powerful gateway for modeling healthy eating, building communication, emotional support, and creating habits that last a lifetime. Here’s why it matters so much.

Tips for the family! ﻿

Here’s a fun conversation starter for the table we like!

Back to School: Creating a Family Dinner Routine

Family Dinner will give kids something to look forward to after a long day. You'll enjoy the quality time, too!

Tips on how to include kids in mealtime.

Choose a recipe together

Let's go shopping!

Let's get cooking!

Set the table

Finally... relax together

Talk about the meal!

Enjoy this recipe for Chana Masala & Homemade Naan!

It's a Schoolhouse favorite and we hope you and your family love making it... and eating it together.

DOWNLOAD RECIPE HERE

Celebrating Mobile Kitchen Projects Culinary Programming for 2024-25

Chicago’s Partner for Culinary Programming for Kids

A Cookbook for My Son

It’s a strange thing, watching your kid graduate from high school.

How to Include Kids in Cooking

Raising Confident Cooks: Simple Ways to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen

How to Include Kids in Cooking

The Excellent Egg

Superfoods Spotlight: EGGS

FUN FACTS: ﻿

Tips for the family!

FUN FACTS: