FAQ
Why should I choose Panhandle Kids Kitchen instead of other camps? Panhandle Kids Kitchen is a unique family-owned camp designed to give children real cooking skills in a fun, hands-on environment. Our program combines both culinary experience and child development expertise to create a meaningful learning experience for every camper. Mackenzie holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from The University of Texas at Austin and attended the Seattle Culinary Academy, bringing both educational and culinary knowledge to the program. Chef Chris is a professional chef and Army veteran, providing campers with real kitchen experience and strong safety awareness. He is also super silly and guaranteed to make the children laugh! Our camps are intentionally kept small so every child receives personal instruction and hands-on experience in the kitchen. Another feature that makes our camp special is that children get to cook and enjoy the food they make: • In morning camps, children prepare and eat their own lunch (no need to bring your own lunch like every other camp!) • In the afternoon Baking Camps, children prepare and eat their own hearty snacks and also take home desserts they bake each day to share with their families. At Panhandle Kids Kitchen, kids don’t just watch — they measure, mix, cook, taste, and learn while building confidence, independence, and a lifelong love for cooking.
Does my child need cooking experience? Not at all! Our Beginner Camp is designed for children with little to no cooking experience. We teach everything from basic kitchen safety and measuring to preparing full recipes. Children interested in our Intermediate Camp should complete Beginner Camp first so they have the foundational skills needed for more advanced recipes.
What if my child has food allergies? Your child’s safety and comfort in the kitchen is our top priority. Please list any food allergies during registration so we can plan recipes accordingly. We do our best to accommodate common food allergies whenever possible. Food allergy awareness is very important to us. Our son, Ford (age 8), has had food allergies since he was a baby, so we are very experienced and careful when it comes to kitchen safety around allergens. For this reason, we do not use nuts in any of our recipes. We also keep an EpiPen on site for emergency use. However, if your child has a prescribed EpiPen or other allergy medication, please send it with them to camp each day so we have their specific medication readily available if needed. If your child has severe allergies, please feel free to contact us ahead of time so we can discuss any additional precautions.
What ages is the camp designed for? Our camps are designed for children ages 5–7 and 8–10. Each session is tailored to these specific age groups so campers can safely learn real cooking skills while having fun and building confidence in the kitchen. If you have children in both age groups, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help coordinate options so they can attend the same class if possible.
What will my child learn at camp? Campers will learn real kitchen skills including: • Kitchen sanitation and safety • Measuring and following recipes • Knife skills using kid-safe knives • Food preparation and cooking techniques • Baking basics • Nutrition and healthy food choices Most importantly, children build confidence, independence, and creativity in the kitchen.
What should my child wear/bring to camp? Campers should wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Hair longer than shoulder length should be tied back while cooking. On Monday, children will receive a custom apron and chef hat that they can leave at our house each day and take home at the end of the week! Please bring a labeled water bottle. Children will prepare and eat their own snacks or lunch (depending on the camp and time), so no need to bring your own food!
What does my child get to take home? Each camper receives: • A Panhandle Kids Kitchen apron and chef hat to decorate and keep. • A full belly filled with nutritious food they created on their own! • Recipe cards to take home with the recipes the children make each day. *For an additional $15, each child will receive a custom, laminated recipe booklet with all the recipes they learned during the week, chef tips, parent resource handout and more! Time permitting - after lunch, children will create and take home their sweet treats for dessert!
Is the camp safe for kids? Yes. Safety is our top priority. We begin each camp by teaching proper kitchen safety and all campers use kid-safe knives and age-appropriate equipment. Children are always closely supervised while cooking. In addition, Chef Chris is an Army veteran who served as a medic and received extensive CPR and first aid training during his military service. His experience provides an added layer of preparedness and safety in the kitchen environment. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive space where kids can build confidence, learn valuable life skills, and have fun cooking. Our small class sizes also allow us to closely supervise each child and provide individual guidance throughout the cooking process.
How many kids are in each camp? To ensure each child gets hands-on instruction, camps are limited to a small group of 8 students per 2 adult chefs. This allows us to give individual attention and keep the kitchen safe and organized.
Do the kids actually cook the food themselves? Yes! Our camp is designed to be fully hands-on. Each child actively participates in preparing the recipes from start to finish. Campers will practice real cooking skills such as measuring ingredients, mixing, prepping food, using kid-safe knives, and following recipes. We guide them step-by-step while encouraging independence and confidence in the kitchen. Our goal is for children to learn by doing, not just watching.
Why is learning to cook important to kids?
Cooking teaches children valuable life skills that go far beyond the kitchen. When kids cook, they build confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills while learning how to follow instructions and work as a team.
Cooking also introduces important concepts in math, science, and nutrition through hands-on learning. Measuring ingredients, understanding how heat changes food, and learning about balanced meals all help children better understand what they eat and how it fuels their bodies.
Perhaps most importantly, kids are far more likely to try new foods and develop healthier eating habits when they are involved in preparing the meal themselves.
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At Panhandle Kids Kitchen, we believe cooking empowers kids with skills they will use for the rest of their lives. And many parents will be surprised to find their child eager to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home after camp!
Why did you start Panhandle Kids Kitchen? Panhandle Kids Kitchen was created from our love of cooking and our passion for teaching children valuable life skills. We discovered how exciting it is for kids to learn in the kitchen after spending time cooking with friends’ children and watching their confidence grow. Our goal is to help kids explore new foods, learn healthy habits, understand the science behind cooking, and build real kitchen skills in a fun environment. We want children to leave camp feeling proud of what they created and confident enough to cook for themselves and their families. And if that means parents get to sleep in while their child makes breakfast one day… even better!
What does a typical day at camp look like? Each day at camp is filled with hands-on cooking, learning, and fun. A typical session may include: • Introduction to the recipe of the day • Learning cooking techniques and kitchen safety • Hands-on food preparation and cooking • Tasting and discussing the finished dish • Kitchen clean-up and teamwork Campers work together, learn new skills, and enjoy the food they create while building confidence in the kitchen.
Do the kids eat the food they make? Yes! One of the best parts of camp is getting to taste and enjoy the food they prepare. Trying new foods is a big part of the experience, and we encourage campers to explore different flavors and ingredients in a fun, low-pressure environment. Many kids are surprised by how much they enjoy foods they helped cook (and watch grow in our garden) themselves!
What is the drop-off and pick-up process? Parents or guardians will drop their children off at the front door each day. Upon arrival, please come inside and sign your child in on the check-in clipboard before leaving. For pick-up, we follow the same process. Parents or guardians should come inside, sign their child out, and collect any personal items, including water bottles or anything your child made to bring home. This simple check-in and check-out process helps us ensure every camper arrives and leaves safely each day. Parents are encouraged to come to the last 20 minutes of the final day of camp to enjoy a taste of their child's creations! However, due to limited parking and HOA rules, drop-offs are recommended during regular class and camp schedule.