General FAQ
What is the format of your classes?
We offer two different formats: Hands On and Demonstration. Majority of our classes are 1.5 hours in duration. You will be given a tasting size portion of all the dishes prepared during the demonstration style class. We will also provide you with recipes for all the menu items.
Hands On: These are full participation classes. Students take part in practicing techniques and preparing the menu items. We limit these classes to 12 participants.
Demonstration: Designed as an observation class, participants watch while chefs explain and show recipe preparation and cooking techniques. Class is limited to 15 people.
What is your cancellation policy for classes?
We understand that unanticipated events happen occasionally in everyone’s life. Business meetings, family functions, car problems, and illness are just a few reasons why one might consider canceling an appointment.
In our desire to be effective and fair to all of our clients and out of consideration for our Chefs/ Staff time, we have adopted the following policies:
- 48 hour advance notice is required when canceling a spot in one of our classes or camps. This allows the opportunity for someone else to use this space.
- If you are unable to give us 48 hours advance notice you will be charged the full amount of your scheduled class or camp.
No-shows:
Anyone who either forgets or consciously chooses to forgo their class or camp for whatever reason will be considered a “no-show”. They will be charged for their missed class or camp and future service will be denied until payment is made.
Is there an age limit?
Kid’s classes are limited to children between the ages of 7 to 11.
Our Teen classes range in age between 12 to 17 and adult classes are for persons 18 years and older.
Family classes are typically based upon ages 7 and up unless otherwise noted.
What should I wear?
For all Hands-On, Kids and Teen classes: we ask that you wear comfortable, casual clothing and closed-toed/rubber soled shoes and preferably have any long hair tied back.
Camps FAQ
What do we need to bring to camp each day?
During your camp we ask that students bring a water bottle each day, a hair tie if necessary and a snack. If your Junior Chef is staying with us for the whole day and joining us for lunch, please bring something to eat. Yes, we do cook, and they are allowed to eat that for lunch, but if you’ve got a picky eater who might not like what we are making, we want to make sure they aren’t going hungry.
How does a summer camp work with Junior Chef Stars?
Our camps are all 3 hours long & we usually make 2 – 3 full menu items per day depending on what they are. Within these recipes we also teach our students about the ingredients and tools we are using each day through various different activities. We will provide your student with an apron to wear everyday as well as a reusable plastic container to take their creations home in each day. We do ask that you reuse these and bring them back clean each day in an effort to be a bit more eco-friendly. For more specific details on each camp, refer to the camp descriptions.
How do I sign up for a camp?
Easy! Visit our Calendar online and find your camp, or visit the Parks & Recreation Departments website where you live and you can sign up through them as well.
Will we receive a copy of all of the recipes my Junior Chef made during his/her camp?
Yes! At the end of each camp your chef will receive a recipe booklet with all of the recipes they made.
How do you accommodate different food allergies or dietary restrictions?
We understand that each child and families dietary restrictions may be different and we make every effort to accommodate these needs to the best of our ability. When registering for one of our camps, it is extremely important that you tell us about your restrictions so we can make the proper accommodations as needed. Please be aware that there may be certain recipes we may not be able to alter, however, we will always do our best.
Where does my child go in between camps if they are signed up for both?
Your child will be supervised by our staff or by the parks and rec staff, this will depend on your city and the arrangements you made during registration.
What if I pick up my child late? Or need to drop off early?
Early drop can be accommodated as long as arrangements are made for this in advance at the time of registration. We also understand that things happen and we all run late, however we ask that if you are running late please alert our staff so we are aware. Any student picked up beyond 15 minutes after class has ended may incur a $25 charge if our staff was not alerted.
Will my son or daughter be able to bring food home from camp?
Yes. We will send them home with whatever they made each day in their reusable containers, assuming they haven’t eaten all of the yummy dishes before they get it home. Trust us, it happens!
Party FAQ
What do the parties include?
Our parties include all the food items chosen by you and your junior chef prior to theevent, our provided cooking equipment, two chefs, aprons to wear, and a great time!
Decorations are not included, however can be provided for an additional fee. Aprons and chef hats to keep are available to purchase.
How do your parties work and how much do they cost?
Most of our parties run off the same guideline, meaning they all include an entrée, dessert item to either decorate or partially cook and a beverage. For example, Gnocchi with Marinara Sauce, Italian Cream Cupcake to decorate and Italian Soda. We try to allow our Junior Chefs to do as much as possible when it comes to cooking within our allotted period.
Our Baking parties and “Competition Style” parties are a bit different in that one is all dessert based and the other does not require you to choose an actual menu since it is competition style and students can create their own menu.
Our general cooking parties usually range from $42.00 – $48.00 per chef. Baking and Competition style parties are generally $52.00 per chef. These prices rarely vary in cost unless special requests are made outside of what normally is included.
How long do your parties last?
Our parties usually last 1.5 – 2 hours long on average, again, depending on the menu chosen. If your party is hosted at your home, our staff will arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to event start time to allow for set up.
How do you accommodate food allergy requests?
We always do our very best to accommodate all dietary restrictions, whether it be allergy related or for religious or personal choices. We are a 100% nut free facility and never use them for any event or class we host. Should you have a need for special dietary accommodations, please let our staff know at the time of booking so this request can be accommodated.
Where will our party be held? My home or your studio?
Our Parties can be held at your home OR our studio. The choice is yours. Should you choose to host it at your home we will provide all necessary cooking equipment that would be needed to host your event.
If I host it at my home does your staff clean up the mess, and what would I need to provide?
Yes, our staff will leave your home as clean as we found it. We provide all necessary equipment & food needed for the party, the only thing we may use depending on your menu choice, would be your sink and your oven should it be required.
Should we bring a cake or our own dessert?
This is completely up to you. We do not provide a cake, only the dessert that is included in your package. If you would like to
use the dessert item made to sing Happy Birthday, you are more than welcome do so.
Should we bring our own decorations or do you provide them?
We do not provide decorations for parties although our room is well decorated already. We can provide extra décor at an additional fee if the request is made at the time of booking. When bringing decor, please keep in mind this is a kitchen facility and certain decorations may not be allowed for safety reasons. Should you have any questions about your decor please feel free to reach out to your event coordinator.
My child’s friends have never cooked before, is this ok?
Absolutely! We are a cooking school after all. Before the beginning of each party, our chefs will go over kitchen safety, cleanliness, and staying organized while cooking. It’s a great way to introduce kids into the kitchen.
Is there a price difference if the event is held at our home versus your studio?
Yes. We do charge a traveling fee of $125.00.
Not all kids attending will be around the same age, is that ok?
Yes. We know that sometimes our party host may have a younger or older sibling that would like to participate. Most of the time this is not an issue, however, should our staff feel the child is of an inappropriate age for the event that is happening, we do reserve the right to ask the child not participate for safety reasons.
Do you have a minimum and maximum number of kids you can host?
Yes. Our minimum for ALL events is 10. You are not required to have 10 children attend, however, there is a paid minimum of 10 kids that must be met. Our studio maximum is 20 kids per event. Should you be hosting your event elsewhere and feel like you may be able to hold more than 20 kids, we are usually able to accommodate these requests.
How does the process work once I decide to book?
Pretty simple! We take all necessary information about your event and a credit card to hold it. Once we have this we will email you our “Terms & Conditions and Release of Liability”, this must be signed and returned to us no later than 5 days prior to your event. That’s it.
Are we allowed to bring outside food for snacks or appetizers for parents?
Yes. You may bring extra snacks and appetizers, we do not provide paper products for these items. We will provide additional catering and snack options for your party at an additional fee. For a menu of the food we provide, all made in house by our amazing chefs, please ask your event coordinator.
If I told you I would have a specific number of kids at the time of booking, but a few don’t show up, will I be charged?
We try to give you as much time as possible to confirm how many guests will be attending. One of our staff members will call you 48 hours prior to your event to confirm your final head count. The number we are given at that time is the number of students you will be responsible for paying for.