Teaching the Next Generation about Cooking

Canappela Farm Cooking Camp is a hands-on, immersive culinary experience specifically designed for kids aged 7+. We expand kids’ natural enthusiasm for cooking and food with best practices for the home kitchen: selecting seasonal high-quality ingredients, meal planning, hosting dinners, cooking together as a shared activity.

Celia started Cooking Camp in 2014 as a way to teach their friends’ kids how to bake pies for Thanksgiving. The camp ran until the 2020 lockdown. The camp started back again in 2025 facilitated by original campers—Meg and Kate Jernigan as instructors. For 2026, Kate will be joined by Keaton Abodeely and Armand Vivier as assistants.

Celia and David continue to participate as teachers in all cooking sessions, and will be supported by Kate to create a warm, supportive and safe learning environment that balances skill-building with creativity and fun. 

Canappela Farm Cooking Camp is a great opportunity for your children to learn new life skills, meet new friends, and gain a real sense of accomplishment when they serve their first dishes cooked with their own hands. Campers will learn about:

● Kitchen safety & knife skills 

● Table setting & dining manners

● Nutrition & safe cooking practices

● Appreciation for home gardening & seasonal food

● Reading recipes & basic cooking math

● Menu planning & clean-up routines

● Teamwork, leadership, and shared responsibility

Canappela Farm Cooking Camp is ideal for campers who:

● Enjoy hands-on activities

● Are curious about food and cooking

● Want to build confidence and independence in the kitchen

● Like working as part of a team

No prior cooking experience is required. We recommend ages 7 to 13. 

 We provide all food consumed during camp and are attentive to dietary needs, preferences, and food allergies.

A core part of the camp experience is learning how to:

● Accommodate different tastes and dietary needs

● Cook safely and responsibly

● Reduce food waste

● Respect ingredients and the effort behind meal preparation

Campers are expected to eat what they prepare whenever possible and to participate fully in clean-up.

Each camper will receive a Canappela Farm apron to take home at the end of camp.

Families will be notified in advance if anything additional is needed (e.g., swimwear for optional pool time).

 Yes. Safety is central to everything we do. All cooking activities are supervised by a skilled adult, and campers are reminded frequently about safety in the kitchen. Safe food preparation and safe knife skills are demonstrated and reinforced throughout the camp. The campers are even tested on their knowledge of safe practices with an end of week skills test. 

On some afternoons, campers are invited to cool off from their labors in the kitchen by jumping into the pool. All under the watchful eyes of Camp instructors.

Restaurant Night is the grand finale of Cooking Camp. Campers assume real restaurant jobs—both front and back of house—and prepare, cook, plate, and serve a full multi-course meal to invited family and friends. 

Campers take this night seriously, studying hard for the “final exam” and eager to share with their families everything they’ve learned throughout the week. 

The evening concludes with a celebratory awards ceremony, recognizing each camper’s growth, effort, and teamwork. Campers then jump back in for a full kitchen clean-up and dish/pot washing to complete their education in the cycle of meal preparation.

9:00 a.m. – Arrival & Breakfast
We’ll eat breakfast together and walk through camp expectations, safety, and the week’s plan.

10:00 a.m. – Cooking Lesson 1

12:30 p.m. – Lunch
Campers prepare and eat the lunch they make.

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Clean-Up & Wrap-Up

9:00 a.m. – Arrival & Breakfast
Campers prepare their own breakfast today.

10:00 a.m. – Cooking Lesson 2

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. – Clean-Up
No lunch onsite today.

Evening (optional):
Possible visit to a local Farmer’s Market with families.

10:00 a.m. – Possible visit to a working farm

12:00 p.m. – Campers prepare lunch together

1:00 p.m. – Cooking Lesson 3

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Restaurant Set-Up & Optional Pool Time

1:00 p.m. – Campers arrive fed

Afternoon is devoted to cooking for Restaurant night. 

Campers will be fed a pre-dinner meal. 

6:00 – Dinner guests arrive. Awards given after dinner concludes. Campers expected to help with clean up