I have to say I’m a bit jealous of the students at the Young Chefs Academy, a national chain of cooking classes for kids.  Ranging from ages 5 to 14 their culinary education has probably surpassed my toast-making skills of younger years, and this month’s “Make a Difference” curriculum they are also learning to ways to help eliminate hunger and homelessness.  Impressive.  Each week the cooking lessons revolve around a particular charity, including Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Second Harvest, and Share Our Strength. In addition to their mind-expanding multidisciplinary approach:

Young Chefs Academy offers a great outlet for your kids in these tough moments. In addition to teaching them an essential life skill, YCA is helping kids understand the importance of giving back and helping those in need by integrating four charities into their cooking lessons this month.

The closest I came to sharing my culinary exploration at that age was daring my friends to try a “mystery mix” made whatever gross-out ingredients I could get my hands on.  So, three cheers for these kids!

takepart by donating non-perishable food Young Chefs Academy and Parenting magazine’s Holiday Cook and Care, which will be donated to local food banks in time for the holidays.