Rooks to Cooks - Leading culinary school for young chef's to be

North America's Leading Culinary School for Children

your child's recipe for success in and out of the kitchen

A youth centered cooking school

Rooks to Cooks was developed to be a safe, supportive and inclusive space for youth to learn to cook and bake, while growing into the best versions of themselves through the process.

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What our customers say

Excellent

Based on 1015 Reviews

Meredith Maglalang

March 21, 2025

Worked here over the summer as a camp counsellor and absolutely loved every minute! Amazing colleagues, amazing resources, and extremely supportive staff. If you are considering working here because you love kids, love to educate, and love cooking, I 100% recommend. Chef shai is also the sweetest soul who really cares about her employees.

Andrew Skujins

March 17, 2025

My daughter enjoyed the March Break camp in Richmond Hill. I'm glad the recipes weren't too basic.

Chris Charron

March 16, 2025

My son has attended this camp 3 times and loves it. The staff are excellent and he loves learning to cook!

Johnson Jesurajan

October 16, 2024

Nadia Farooki

September 17, 2024

Had such a great experience with Rooks to Cooks birthday! They came to our house, set up everything, entertained the kids for 2 hours with professional equipment, aprons and safety gloves, and then cleaned everything up :) Very professional, great communication. My 6 and 9 year old loved it. Thank you Rooks to Cooks!

Erin Schoening

September 6, 2024

My son took part in the Rooks to Cooks camp this summer at the Beach location on Woodbine. We will definitely be signing up again. The staff were friendly and great with all the kids, and the confidence that my son developed in the kitchen in such a short time was extraordinary. Highly recommend.

Rebecca Williams

September 4, 2024

I can't say enough good things about this camp. My daughters attended the beaches location and had the best time. They learned a great deal, brought home delicious treats and have increased confidence in the kitchen. They know give us tips on cutting and cooking.

Alessandra Cayley

September 4, 2024

My daughter, Alicia, attended a Rooks to Cooks (Thornhill location) summer camp this past August, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. She’s 10 years old and had little prior cooking experience, so I was pretty nervous about her using regular knives and dealing with a stove—even with protective gloves. But from the first day, she came home beaming with happiness and confidence, bringing along some amazing treats she made during camp for us to try. Throughout the week, she cooked her own lunch and kept bringing home delicious and surprisingly well-presented treats. The highlight was definitely the themed pop-up restaurant at the end of camp. The kids took on roles as chefs, bartenders, and waitstaff, and everything—from the menu to the drinks—was done so professionally that we almost forgot we were being served by our own kids! I’m really impressed with how much she learned and how much fun she had. We’re so glad we chose this camp, and she’s already asking to go back next year. Highly recommend it!

Jen Evered

September 4, 2024

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Rooks to Cooks HIGHPARK location! My son attended camp there this summer for the first time & had the most amazing experience!! Right from the beginning I could feel how much the chefs loved what they did & loved kids. You could tell that they loved teaching the kids about the culinary arts right down to every detail. My son was so excited to tell me about everything he made & learned that day and the pride on his face when he shared his creations was everything! The final day with the pop-up restaurant showcasing the food (better than many restaurants I’ve been to!) and the skills the kids learned. They took on all roles from chefs to servers, hosts to “bartenders” (no alcohol was served)…and it ran like a well oiled machine! It was amazing to watch!! Plus there was a graduation ceremony!! Again, I can’t say enough about this camp! The people are amazing & you will not regret sending your kids here, they will learn so much! ❤️❤️❤️

Grace Chu

September 3, 2024

[2024] My son had a great time at Rooks to Cooks summer camp at the Richmond Hill location again this year. The pop-up restaurant at the end of the week was really well done. [2023] My two kids did a week of Rooks to Cooks summer camp together at the Richmond Hill location and loved it. They learned so much, practiced working together as partners, and our fridge is very full of delicious food they brought home. Chef Mat and his team were really great, encouraging character development as well as practical kitchen skills. We can't wait to do it again!

Programs for every young chef

filter through our exciting range of culinary programs to find the perfect fit for your chef-to-be.

Our recipe for success

Our Curriculum

Developed by certified teachers and professional chefs, our curriculum strikes the perfect balance of fun, education, and inspiration. We prioritize creativity and innovation in our recipe selection, choosing exciting dishes that encourage exploration and engagement. Our menus are designed not only to teach essential cooking skills but also to impart invaluable nutritional knowledge. This approach ensures that every recipe captivates our students, allowing them to learn while enjoying the culinary process.
Our Staff

At Rooks to Cooks, our highly qualified staff includes seasoned chefs, certified teachers, and experienced youth workers. Together they create a supportive and inspiring educational environment that empowers campers to reach their full potential, both in and out of the kitchen. All team members are trained in first aid and CPR, hold food handler certificates, and have police checks for a safe learning experience.
Class Structure

Our class structure mirrors that of professional culinary schools, incorporating a blend of chef-led demonstrations, recipe review exercises, and hands-on practice. This approach caters to diverse learning styles, ensuring all students can thrive. Most classes feature both group and individual work, emphasizing the importance of teamwork while guaranteeing that every student gains practical experience with every aspect of each recipe.

Chef's top picks

Take a look at some of our featured offerings this season

March Break

Spring flavours are in full bloom with our March break cooking camps. While it’s still cold outside, we’ll be turning up the heat with creative comfort foods and Spring-inspired recipes that are aimed to excite and inspire. Keep your budding chefs busy this break and enrol today!

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In-home Birthday Parties

Celebrate with a culinary twist! Our chef instructors bring the party to your chosen venue, complete with all ingredients, equipment, and even special uniforms. Enjoy a hassle-free, deliciously fun birthday experience, and leave the setup and cleanup to us!

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As featured in

Discover how Rooks to Cooks is shaping the future of culinary education for kids, as featured in prominent media and celebrated by the community.

WE ARE PEANUT FREE AND ALLERGY AWARE

Rooks to Cooks is both Peanut Free and Allergy Aware! We ask that parents speak to our staff about any known allergies prior to the start of your program. We strive to accommodate all campers and we will work with parents and children to ensure that the necessary precautions have been taken. It is important that all parties (camp staff, parents and campers) clearly understand that, in no way, can we guarantee that we will be able to remove all allergy-inducing ingredients from our recipes.

Our Spaces

We run our programs out of a wide variety of sites across the GTA. In Schools, Community Centers, Churches for our Summer Camps and public programming and in homes of our clients for Birthday Parties.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Indulge in Chef Shai’s Signature Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, a delightful treat blending rich cocoa with a unique avocado oil twist. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies offer a soft, chewy texture with a sweet, crinkled top. This recipe yields 2 dozen cookies, each one a perfect blend of sweetness and chocolatey goodness. Follow these simple steps to bake your own batch of these irresistible treats that are sure to become a family favorite!

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