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. 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.
“...My son has participated in every session for the last two years. Initially I thought he could just learn to cook from myself but I have come to realize that sometimes kids learn best from others. In the program, my son, a picky eater, tried foods he never would have eaten at home, felt free to experiment with different seasonings and met kids from other schools with similar interests. The staff is amazingly supportive and my son left each class feeling empowered and happily looking forward to the next one. It has been one of the most impactful activities my son has participated in.” —Thetford Parent, 2025
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.
January – February 2026: Around the World
February – March 2026: Build Your Own
SESSION 3: FOOD AROUND THE WORLD
Embark on a flavorful journey in our “Food Around the World” cooking class, where our young chefs will explore global cultures through the dishes they create. Each session highlights a different country or region, introducing students to new ingredients, techniques, and food traditions. This class celebrates the diversity of world cuisines and the stories they tell through taste and tradition.
Class Dates:
- Mondays - 1/5, 1/12, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9
- No class January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Times: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes - financial support is available!
SESSION 4: BUILD YOUR OWN
Get creative in our “Build Your Own” cooking class, where middle schoolers will learn to make customizable dishes like pizzas, tacos, burritos, and grain bowls. Each session empowers students to mix and match ingredients, explore flavors, and make meals that reflect their own tastes and preferences. This theme encourages hands-on experimentation and celebrates the fun of building delicious, personalized creations from scratch.
Class Dates: Choose Mondays or Thursdays
- Mondays - Mar 2, Mar 9, Mar 16, Mar 23, Mar 30
- Thursdays - Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2
Times: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes - financial support is available!
SESSION 5: CHOPPED 2
We’ve had such a blast with ‘Chopped’ that we’re offering two sessions this year! This session will also play on the tv show ‘Chopped,’ (much like our Chopped 1 offered earlier in the year) 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!
Class Dates: Choose Mondays or Thursdays
- Mondays - Apr 6, Apr 13, Apr 27, May 4, May 10
- Thursdays - Apr 9, Apr 16, Apr 30, May 7, May 14
*No classes Monday, Apr 20 and Thursday, Apr 23 for April Vacation.
Times: 3:45–5:30 pm
Cost: $165 for 5 classes - financial support is available!
Financial Support Options
We strive to make Cooking for Middle Schoolers an experience that is accessible to all families. We have partial and full need-based financial support available to families for whom cost is a barrier to participation. We can also create a payment plan to split tuition up into multiple payments, whether you are receiving financial support or not.
If interested in either or both of these options, please fill out the program registration form and contact us at education@cedarcirclefarm.org.
For your reference, click here for our Financial Support Guidelines for Education Programs.