Cooking for Middle Schoolers

This program is a unique opportunity for learning about and interacting with food here at Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center, where we have both a commercial kitchen and a production farm on site, as well as robust educational programming designed to bring awareness to our food system.

In this 5-week hands-on culinary program, 6th through 8th graders will gain confidence in the kitchen and expand their love and curiosity for food. We will approach cooking through an interdisciplinary lens, practicing math, history, and science as we go. Students will learn real-life skills like reading and converting recipes, weighing and measuring ingredients, keeping workspaces neat and organized, and using different tools and techniques.

No previous cooking or baking experience is necessary, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

Questions? Call our farm office at 802-785-4737 during business hours, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at education@cedarcirclefarm.org.


Early Winter: November 13 - December 18​

January Session: January 1 - 30

Late Winter: February 6 - March 9

Spring: March 12 - April 9


Session 1: Early Winter 2023

The Early Winter session will focus on essential skills for building your kitchen knowledge and capabilities. We will apply our new techniques to making an array of delicious foods, including but not limited to: tacos (with homemade tortillas), pasta, sushi, and pizza. Get ready for the tastiest learning experience you’ve ever had!

Dates: Mondays - Nov 13, Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18
Time: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $125 for 5 classes


Session 2: JANUARY

Our January session will play on the tv show ‘Chopped’ where contestants are given mystery food ingredients that need to be incorporated into a main dish. We will learn the best of the cooking basics, but the true appeal of this session is our young chefs’ creativity and innovation, building one of a kind meals for one another to judge. All in good fun, of course!

Dates: Tuesdays - Jan 2, Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, Jan 30
Time: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $125 for 5 classes


SESSION 3: LATE WINTER

Our Late Winter session will focus entirely on building a dish worthy of competing in the Jr. Iron Chef on Saturday, March 9th at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, VT. Participants will learn cooking techniques and explore flavor profiles, textures and ingredient combinations with the goal of perfecting a locally sourced meal to present on competition day.

Dates: Tuesdays - Feb 6, Feb 13, Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 5*, Mar 9 (Saturday)*
Time: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $150 for 6 classes

*Our last two classes in this session occur in the same week. Program participants will need to arrange their own transportation to and from the event.

Financial Support Info


SESSION 4: SPRING

Our spring session will take deep dives into one ingredient each class. Just think of all of the ways you can eat a potato, create with flour, taste tomatoes, and melt with cheese! This session will have participants digging into classic dishes and creating brand new ones.

Dates: Tuesdays - Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2, Apr 9
Time: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $125 for 5 classes

Financial Support Info