“NEW” Appleseeds Cooking Academy:
From Basics to Badges (AGES 8+)

READY TO BEGIN YOUR CULINARY JOURNEY?

  1. Start with Kitchen Basics – Learn to read recipes, measure ingredients, practice safe knife skills, and explore basic nutrition. After completing this class, you’ll earn your Kitchen Basics Badge.

  2. Move on to Specialty Workshops – Hands-on, thematic classes that teach sautéing, baking, boiling, and more. With each class, you’ll receive a custom badge!

  3. Earn Your Official Academy Apron – Complete the Kitchen Basics and any 3 specialty workshops. Your apron is the perfect place to showcase badges that demonstrate new cooking skills!


ACADEMY WORKSHOPS


Location: Explore More 3rd Floor in the Appleseeds Teaching Kitchen
Times:
All classes meet on Saturdays from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Cost: $35 members • $45 visitors

After completing Kitchen Basics, choose one workshop or dive into them all!

  • January 3 OR 10 (pick one): KITCHEN BASICS - required before taking offerings listed below
    Kids will learn basic knife skills, how to measure ingredients, follow a recipe, and pick up key cooking terms. They’ll put their skills to work by preparing a delicious dish to enjoy. Completing this class earns the Kitchen Basics Badge, unlocking the rest of the Appleseeds Cooking Academy!

  • January 17: SOUP’S ON (soup chef badge)
    Students will focus on how to use the proper seasoning and spices to create a healthy hearty soup. They will also learn how temperature and timing come together to make a melty, delicious grilled cheese.

  • January 24: BUILD-A-BOWL (bowl builder badge)
    We’ll cook grains, prepare some protein and throw in some veggies as we learn how to create a perfectly balanced meal in just one bowl.

  • January 31: PASTA PALOOZA (pasta pro badge)
    Pasta is so much fun to make from scratch and from rolling and cutting the pasta, to chopping and blending the tomatoes for the sauce our young chefs will do it all!

  • February 7: TASTE OF TACOS (taco tastemaker)
    Get ready to spice things up in the kitchen! In this hands-on class, kids will whip up fresh salsa, season and cook ground beef on the stovetop, and chop colorful veggies for tasty taco toppings.

  • February 14: CUPCAKE CREATIONS (cupcake creator)
    Mix, bake, and decorate your way to sweet success! In this class, kids will discover the science behind baking as they whip up a batch of cupcakes from scratch. Once baked, they’ll get creative while learning to pipe decorations.

  • February 21: BREAKFAST BONANZA (breakfast boss)
    Rise and shine—it’s time to cook like a professional. Kids will practice stovetop safety as they whip up a cheesy veggie omelet, mix together a colorful fruit salad, and chop fresh ingredients to complete their breakfast feast.

  • February 28: MAC & CHEESE MAKEOVER (macaroni master)
    Stir, sprinkle, and sizzle as kids create their own cheesy masterpieces! They’ll mix sauce, chop toppings, and learn how to mix flavors to customize mac and cheese just the way they want it!

  • March  7: SUSHI ROLLIN’ (sushi artist)
    Chefs will make veggie sushi by preparing rice, and chopping colorful vegetables. They’ll also learn the importance of good presentation by cutting and plating each roll with colorful garnishes.

Register Here
Our new state of the art teaching kitchen is the perfect place to sharpen your culinary skills. This wonderful 3rd floor addition is made possible through the generosity of Appleseeds Foundation and Fred and Carol Showker.

Our state of the art teaching kitchen is the perfect place to sharpen your culinary skills. This wonderful 3rd floor addition is made possible through the generosity of Appleseeds Foundation and Fred and Carol Showker.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be received by Explore More to secure a space in the class. We are only able to accept credit card payments in person and through on-line registration. In the event that minimum enrollments are not met, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule classes. If this occurs, your entire fee will be refunded. There are no refunds for classes dropped less than 10 business days before class begins. A 50% refund will be issued if the museum is notified in writing at least 10 business days before class starts.

PHOTO WAIVER:

Explore More Discovery Museum reserves the right to use photos taken during classes and workshops for use in marketing. If you do not wish to have your child’s photo used for the museum’s purposes, please submit a request in writing with your registration form.

PICK UP/DROP OFF:

Please check in with your child at the Museum’s Newman Avenue side entrance in downtown Harrisonburg no more than 10 minutes before the class begins. A teacher will be there to check in your child and direct them to the 3rd floor kitchen. Pick up will occur at the same Newman Avenue entrance at the end of class. If someone other than the child’s parent or guardian is picking the child up, please notify the museum.