Growing Chefs! Ontario: Beginner Culinary Program

Our Beginner Culinary Program runs once per school year. To receive program updates and announcements, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

If you have any questions, please contact our Education Programs Manager, Christy Cook at christy@​growingchefsontario.​ca

What to Expect: Beginner Culinary is an 8‑week program for youth aged 5 to 7 to build their knowledge in the kitchen. This exciting program will build foundational cooking skills, all while participants are having fun, strengthening their confidence and getting creative! Skills include following a recipe, identifying common ingredients, paying attention to kitchen safety, learning to ​“taste like a chef”, and exploring their senses through food.

Date & Time:

Weekly, Mondays, October 20^th-December 8^th, 2025 – 5 – 6pm – FULL

Location: will be hosted at The Grove at The Western Fair District, located at 900 King St. 
 

Age: Participants must be between the ages of 5 to 7 on the first day of class (Please do not contact us for exceptions if your child is younger. Older children may be considered on a case by case basis if they have a developmental disability. If this is the case, please reach out to christy@​growingchefsontario.​ca before registering).

Pricing: $160 ($20 per week X 8 weeks)

Cost includes all programming fees, a safe chopper, and small snack each week. Growing Chefs! Ontario is committed to providing low-cost food education experiences for youth. If cost is a barrier to registration, please contact christy@​growingchefsontario.​ca to explore subsidy options.
 

Food Allergies: Our team is highly experienced in managing dietary restrictions. Do not let a dietary concern prevent your child from participating in our programming. Get in contact with our staff team and we’ll do our best to make appropriate accommodations. If a participant has a life-threatening allergy, please read our official Allergen Statement here and let us know if you have any questions.

Additional Support: If your child requires additional support in school or at home, we encourage you to contact our Education Programs Manager, christy@​growingchefsontario.​ca, prior to registering for programs. This will allow us to better understand your child’s specific support needs and strengths, ensuring we can provide the best possible program experience.

While we strive to accommodate all participants, please note that due to staffing limitations, we are unable to offer 1:1 support. If your child receives 1:1 support at school, a qualified support person will be required to accompany them during the program. Families are welcome to arrange a support worker, and there is no additional fee for them to attend. Please be sure to note this on your registration form and include any dietary needs for the support worker as well. 

We truly value working in partnership with families and support workers, and we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive experience for everyone.
 

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Cancellations must be communicated by email to Education Programs Manager christy@​growingchefsontario.​ca as early as possible.
 

Cancellations received more than 14 days before the first class will receive a full refund minus an administrative fee of $15 per participant.

Cancellations received less than 14 days before the first class, provided we are successful in refilling their spot, are eligible to receive a full refund minus an administrative fee of $15 per participant. If we are unsuccessful, despite efforts in filling their spot, a partial refund of 50% will be offered.

Cancellations received within 3 days of the start of the program, are ineligible to receive a refund, except in extenuating circumstances as approved by the Education Programs Manager. We are unable to offer credits to future classes, or to transfer the spot to another participant of your choosing (unless it is a sibling within the correct age range).

Refunds are not granted for missed days, or if a parent/​guardian withdraws the participant from the program or if the participant is sent home for misconduct.

Our Social Story is designed to help participants prepare for their visit to Growing Chefs! and to help reduce the chances of encountering something uncomfortable or unexpected. This Social Story provides guidance and direction for what participation in a Growing Chefs! program will look like.