Crown Heights’ Mini Chefs

By COLlive reporter

A new cooking and baking program in Crown Heights called “CH Mini Chefs” is enjoying resounding success since it opened 5 weeks ago for girls ages 7 to 11.

Opened by Faygie Shagalow, it gives girls an opportunity to create culinary masterpieces of their own in an environment that encourages discovery and creativity.

In in the first season which is coming now to a close, these girls have already learned many important cooking skills, and experienced kashrus in the kitchen in a new way.

Classes apply math and science concepts as well, as the girls measure, whisk, and knead.

“I was inspired by my daughter, who is on Shlichus in Californial,” Shagalow told COLlive.com.

“She runs a very successful MiniChefs program for younger children, and I felt that this hands-on program, where the girls actually participate in the cooking and baking, is something that would very much benefit our own children here in Crown Heights.”

While learning food preparation is the main ingredient, each class adds a heap of kitchen safety, a scoop of etiquette, a handful of table setting, a pinch of menu planning, and laughter to taste.

“I feel that our girls need to see the importance of mastering some kitchen skills, and the enjoyment they can have in their very own kitchens,” Shagalow adds.

“This is especially true in light of the fact that they will all grow up to be the Akeres Habayis of their very own home. Cooking and baking is such an essential part of our Jewish tradition and daily lives, why not start cultivating these very necessary life skills at an early age?”

This current session features a seasonal curriculum for winter. Included have been cozy soups and main dishes, crusty breads, homey baked goodies, and other delicious foods. More wintry delights are to come in the remaining weeks of the session. In addition to the hands-on culinary work, the girls create a recipe scrapbook, which they add to each week.

The upcoming Spring session begins after Pesach. The eight week course will focus on international cooking and baking recipes. Girls will be making dishes from all over the world! Each girl will come home with masterpieces she has created, in addition to a recipe book at the end of the session. Recipes are scrapbooked at the end of each class.

Spring Session dates: April 22, 2012 –June 17, 2012
Classes take place at 385 Crown Street

For more information and to register, visit CHMiniChefs.com