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Future Chefs Camps

Come ready to learn, cook, eat and have fun! At Brightwater Future Chefs Food Camps, children ages 9-17 will learn new techniques, try new foods and make new friends! 

Cost per camp is $450. Registering multiple children or signing up your child for multiple weeks? Bundle and save 10%! Email FutureChefs@nwacc.edu to get the promo code. 

Read further to learn more about the week-long day camps, schedule and registration process. 

 

Culinary Camps

In Future Chefs culinary week-long day camps, children will learn basic cooking and baking techniques and make their own lunch and snacks.

At the week’s end, they will have the opportunity to show off their new skills for their parents at the parent party! They will come away with a collection of tasty recipes focused on using local, healthy ingredients. Other weekly camp activities will include spending time in the Brightwater garden and taking field trips around 8th Street Market.

Register

French Quarter Foodies: Young Chef Edition | June 9-13 | Ages 9-12

 

Join Chef Tamara and get ready to dive into the vibrant world of Cajun cuisine! This hands-on cooking class is perfect for kids ages 9-12 who are eager to learn how to create bold, flavorful dishes inspired by the heart of Louisiana. From classic jambalaya to mouthwatering beignets, students will uncover the secrets behind Cajun cooking while honing their kitchen skills.
 
Throughout the class, kids will learn the fundamentals of cooking, such as chopping, seasoning, and sautéing, all while having fun exploring the rich history and culture behind Cajun food. They'll also have the chance to prepare their own dishes, using fresh ingredients and time-honored techniques.
 
By the end of the class, young chefs will leave with a full belly, a new love for cooking, and the confidence to recreate some of their favorite Cajun dishes at home!

Register

Exploring Italy | June 16-20 | Ages 13-17

 

Grab your passports because we’re taking a trip to Italy! Prepare to be whisked away and completely immersed in all the glories of Italian cuisine. Inspired by Chef Cecilia's trip abroad last summer, this camp will cover all the excitement that this incredible cuisine has to offer, from the tasty and unique snacks and treats enjoyed by tourists to the warm and hearty meals prepared by the locals in their own homes.

Embark on an adventure encompassing everything from gelato, focaccia, homemade pizzas, hearty sauces, and of course, fresh pasta! This week will be filled with hands-on experience, mouth-watering creations, and a renewed passion for timeless cuisine.

Register

Cooking FUNdamentals | June 23-27 | Ages 9-12

Get ready to stir up some fun and creativity with Chef Lisa at Cooking FUNdamentals, the ultimate culinary adventure for young chefs! This week-long camp is packed with hands-on cooking challenges, flavor-filled experiments, and plenty of tasty treats. Each day offers unique, hands-on activities that build essential cooking skills while inspiring creativity and curiosity in the kitchen. Future chefs will begin with kitchen and food safety, mastering knife skills, and creating dishes like a mashed potato bar and hummus with carved fruit and vegetable garnishes. They'll explore taste vs. flavor, learning about the five basic tastes and balancing flavors through interactive experiments with meals like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. By mid-week, they'll tackle cooking methods with dry and wet heat techniques, crafting stir-fry, cookies, and their own non-dairy milks.

As the camp progresses, campers will hone their presentation skills and work collaboratively on party planning for the grand finale. Day 4 features the exciting FUNdamental MasterChef Junior Competition, where campers showcase their culinary talents and creativity. The camp concludes with a celebration as campers cater a special party for their families, presenting stunning dishes that reflect everything they've learned. Filled with teamwork, exploration, and hands-on fun, this camp leaves campers with newfound confidence, lasting memories, and a taste for culinary adventure.

Register

Copycat Kitchen: Fast Food Edition! | July 7-11 | Ages 9-12

 

Kick off your summer with a delicious week of hands-on cooking in Copycat Kitchen: Fast Food Edition! In this fun-filled summer camp, young chefs aged 9-12 will learn how to recreate their favorite fast-food meals from scratch. Each day, we’ll dive into the flavors of a different iconic restaurant—McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Popeyes, and Subway—exploring the ingredients and techniques that make these meals so tasty. From crafting the perfect crispy chicken sandwich to rolling up a flavorful burrito, kids will gain valuable kitchen skills while discovering how to make their fast-food favorites at home.
 
Throughout the week, campers will chop, mix, knead, and fry their way to mouthwatering meals, all while learning about fresh ingredients and the magic of cooking from scratch. Under the guidance of experienced Brightwater culinary instructor Chef Michael Drazsnzak, they’ll build confidence in the kitchen, work as a team, and, most importantly, enjoy eating their creations! Whether they’re flipping burgers, baking pizza, or whipping up a homemade sauce, this camp will leave them with skills—and flavors—that last far beyond the summer.

Register

International Street Food | July 14-18 | Ages 13-17

 

Step into a global culinary adventure in our International Street Food summer camp! Designed for teens ages 13-17, this hands-on cooking experience explores the bold flavors and techniques behind some of the world’s most beloved street foods. Each day, young chefs will explore a new cuisine, mastering the art of crafting authentic dishes like Mexican street tacos, Vietnamese Banh Mi, Thai Pad Thai, Middle Eastern falafel gyros, and Japanese gyoza. From kneading dough for dumplings to balancing the perfect blend of spices, students will gain essential cooking skills while expanding their palates and cultural knowledge.
 
Whether you're a budding chef or just love great food, this camp is the perfect place to sharpen your skills and savor exciting new flavors. Under the guidance of experienced Brightwater culinary instructor Chef Michael Drazsnzak, students will work with fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods to recreate the vibrant street food experience right in our kitchen. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for global cuisine. Get ready to chop, sauté, and roll your way through an unforgettable week of food and fun!

Register

Flavors of the USA: A Culinary Journey from Coast to Coast | July 21-25 | Ages 9-12

 

Travel with Chef Leah as she guides you on a culinary adventure through our country's melting pot. We will concentrate on a specific region each day and learn how its unique cuisine is defined by the resources and history of the area. Future Chefs will learn various skills and techniques while preparing iconic regional dishes such as muffuletta, stromboli, biscochito, baja fish tacos, Hawaiian rolls and other delicious foods. At the end of the week, we will make the various components of a Boston Creme Pie and make it our own through innovative construction and plating.

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Baking Camps

In Future Chefs baking week-long day camps, kids will explore the art of baking and learn kitchen basics and techniques required to make sweet and savory breads, pastries and other baked goods.

Kids will also make their own lunch and snacks throughout the week. At the week’s end, they will have the opportunity to show off their new skills for their parents at the Parent Party! They will come away with a collection of tasty recipes focused on using local, healthy ingredients. Other weekly camp activities will include spending time in the Brightwater garden and taking field trips around 8th Street Market.

Register

Once Upon a Bake: Timeless Adventures | July 7-11 | Ages 13-17

Join us for a week of hands-on baking, where creativity and flavor come together in the kitchen! Over five action-packed days, you’ll bake and decorate treats inspired by everything from royalty and ocean adventures to villains and iconic characters.

Each day brings new recipes designed to sharpen your baking skills—from perfecting pastries to mastering show-stopping decorations. With a focus on fresh ingredients and a dash of creativity, you’ll whip up creations that taste as epic as they look. By the end of the week, you’ll have the skills to create your own jaw-dropping treats, straight out of your favorite stories.

Register

Taste Adventurers: Bake, Create, Discover! | July 14-18 | Ages 9-12

 

Join us for an exciting week of culinary exploration where campers will embark on a delicious journey through the world of baking and cooking! Future Chefs will learn essential kitchen skills, discover the science behind their favorite foods, and create mouthwatering dishes to share and enjoy.
 
Throughout the week, campers will stretch their own dough, craft personalized pizzas during a fun pizza party, and make hand pies and tarts—quiche in the morning and sweet hand pies in the afternoon. They'll also dive into the Science of Baking, learning how baking soda and baking powder work, how acidic ingredients affect flavor, and putting this knowledge to the test while making muffins, cupcakes, and biscuits.
 
Campers will also get their hands into bread-making with a focus on creating delicious garden focaccia. They'll face the challenge of a Mystery Ingredient and explore flavors from around the world on International Day, broadening their culinary horizons. By the end of the week, they'll leave with new skills, tasty treats, and unforgettable memories!

Register

Wholesome Baking Adventures | July 21-25 | Ages 13-17

 

Get ready for a week of tasty, feel-good baking—where we mix up delicious treats with a healthy twist and a whole lot of fun!
 
This hands-on camp is designed for teens who love to bake and want to discover how to create wholesome, mouthwatering treats using fresh fruits, whole grains, and nutrient-packed ingredients. Throughout the week, we’ll dive into a variety of baking techniques and explore how to incorporate nature’s best ingredients into everything from hearty breakfast bites to energizing desserts.
 
In addition to hands-on baking, campers will learn valuable skills such as how to make healthier ingredient choices, the science behind gluten-free baking, and tips for balancing flavors and textures. By the end of the week, campers will have the knowledge and confidence to make wholesome, nutrient-dense snacks and desserts that fuel both their body and creativity—perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying all on their own!
 
We’re here to have fun in the kitchen, discover new baking techniques, and indulge in treats that taste as good as they are good for you. Join us and let’s bake, nourish, and enjoy!
 

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