The Essex Resort & Spa is excited to launch a hands-on Jr. Chef culinary fundamentals series designed just for middle and high school students (ages 12–16). Over six weeks, budding young chefs will roll up their sleeves and explore the essential building blocks of cooking—from knife skills and mise en place to soups, sauces, and foundational cooking techniques.
Guided by a professional chef instructor in our Viking classroom kitchen, students will learn proper kitchen practices, core techniques, and how to work confidently with a variety of ingredients and tools. Each week introduces a new fundamental skill, giving students the opportunity to practice, taste, and refine what they learn through engaging, hands-on activities.
Every class ends with students bringing home the dishes they’ve prepared—along with the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to continue cooking in their own kitchens.
$460
01/07/2026 - Week 1, Basic Knife Skills.
- Learn different knives functions, care & safety
- Learn different knife cuts & techniques
- Basic Mise en Place
01/14/2026 - Week 2, Stocks & Soups.
- Learn types of stock & uses
- Learn categories of soups
- Food safety & sanitation
01/21/2026 - Week 3, Sauces & Pasta.
- Learn Grand Sauces
- Make Pasta
- Prepare Tomato & Alfredo Sauces
01/28/2026 - Week 4, Dry Heat Techniques.
- Sauteing, Frying & Roasting
02/04/2026 - Week 5, Dry Heat Techniques.
- Barbecue, Grilling & Broiling
02/11/2026 - Week 6, Moist Heat Techniques.
- Braising & Stewing
- Poaching & Simmering
Please plan to be in class 5 minutes before class begins so that we may take roll call.
ATTIRE: The Essex recommends that students wear closed-toe shoes to class and to dress appropriately for a cooking environment and have long hair tied back. Shorts, skirts, open-toed shoes, and flip flops are not allowed to be worn during any classes. The Essex will provide an apron to protect most clothing but, being a professional kitchen environment, spills do unfortunately happen.
KITCHEN SAFETY: Participants assume and accept that they will be participating in cooking activities where there is a natural element of risk of injury with kitchen appliances, equipment, knives, allergic reactions, and other participants in the class. When you reserve your cooking class you acknowledge this level of risk to yourself while participating in the activities at The Essex.
The Essex reserves the right to limit class sizes, revise any or all menus, substitute food items, cancel a class, change class time or location, and/or substitute instructors. If a class is cancelled, The Essex will contact the guests registered and arrange a credit or a refund. In case of inclement weather it is the responsibility of the guest to call for information regarding outdoor classes. Full refunds will be granted if cancellation is received 3 days or more prior to the cooking class or event. Exceptions may be made in cases of illness or flight delays. All cancellations must be made by phone: 802-878-1100. We will not accept email cancellation.
Please call 72 hours or more prior to the cooking class or event.
