Photo by Adobe Stock / goodluz
Kids can learn valuable cooking skills through classes and summer camps offered by Broomall-based Chef Dad’s Table.
When the pandemic forced us all to stay home, parents found it difficult to keep kids entertained in an educational way. Broomall-native Scott Noye saw this as an opportunity.
As the culinary instructor at Lavner Summer Camp, Noye saw firsthand how cooking classes could benefit children, allowing students to express their creativity while learning important life skills. Thus, Chef Dad’s Table was born.
Through Chef Dad’s Table, Noye teaches after-school culinary classes for everyone from toddlers to teens. This summer, students from the age of five to 14 can partake in instructional camps, offered on a weekly basis from June to August. “From appetizers and side dishes to entrees and desserts, our campers get a chance to make a variety of different dishes,” says Noye.
While the classes and camp days are fun, what students learn from the experience is invaluable. “For them, it’s just about having fun, making friends and eating great food! But when ingredients are measured, they are learning math skills,” Noye explains. “When baking, they discover how chemical reactions occur. Reading and writing recipes builds our language skills and learning about the cuisine and culture of different regions of the world is a terrific geography lesson.”
Noye started cooking at a young age. With both parents working full-time, he often teamed up with his brother to help out in the kitchen and prepare family dinners. It was there that Noye first learned how important proper cooking technique can be.
“Teaching life skills such as cooking, kitchen basics and consumer science is knowledge that our students will carry with them throughout life,” he says. “They will be better equipped to meet the challenges that they will face and make evidence-informed decisions, from meal preparation and grocery shopping to choices that could affect their food insecurity.”
Each class or camp day is themed, teaching students how to concoct a wide range of dishes. Past instruction has ranged from classic foods like New England clam chowder to holiday baking and international cuisine.
“I want these kids to be able to learn not just how to cook, but kitchen etiquette and life skills to help them be successful as they grow and mature,” says Noye. “Everything is interactive, and the students are able to bring home what they make in each class to show their families, if they don’t eat it before they leave.”
Summer camps and classes take place at the Wellness Community Center at Grace Church in Broomall. Enrollment is open now at chefdadstable.com.
