In-Person Summer Cooking Camps
WE’RE BACK and running COVID-SAFE in-person day camps this August!
Program Overview
-
Campers will learn culinary skills & theory from passionate and experienced Chef instructors
-
We structure our camps like culinary school. Recipe execution will be preceded by a full cooking demonstration by their Chef instructors
-
Campers work in pairs to complete up to 5 daily recipes from scratch
-
We do not work with any processed foods or sauces
-
Our programs are hands on, intensive and FUN
-
Activities are primarily cooking activities, however we do take 2 daily outdoor breaks where we run camp style games & crafts.
-
Each week ends with a graduation ceremony where every student receives a certificate and is recognized for their accomplishment. Ceremonies can be watched live through zoom or a recording can be viewed later that evening.
Our Team
Our summer camp teams are comprised of 4 staff members: A Lead Chef, a Sous Chef, a Camp Counsellor and a Kitchen Assistant. Our Chef instructors are experienced and passionate culinary professions, eager to share their knowledge with the younger generation of chefs and inspire young minds. Our camp counsellors are enthusiastic and experienced youth workers who bring the camp activities and energy to our culinary classrooms. Our kitchen assistants are there to help and support our campers as they learn new skills and expand their culinary knowledge.
SUMMER 2021 COVID-PROTOCOLS PER GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES
-
Parents/guardians, campers, and staff will be screened daily for symptoms and temperature prior to entering the building. Campers or staff who fail the screening will not be allowed to enter the facility.
-
Parents/guardians will not be allowed to enter the facility. Campers will be dropped off at the main entrance and escorted into the building safely by a R2C staff member.
-
All campers and staff are required to wear a well-fitting, non-medical mask at all times indoors EXCEPT when eating and drinking, and ONLY outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. Each camper will eat at their own distanced station OR a shared station for siblings or “bubble mates”.
-
Cleaning and disinfection practices are increased:
-
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be supplied at all entrances. Usage is mandated prior to entering the facility.
-
All equipment used for activities will be cleaned and disinfected between use.
-
Cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces will take place regularly throughout the entire day.
-
Regular and frequent hand washing will be required when necessary.
- All dish washing will be executed by our Kitchen Assistants, not the campers themselves like usual.
-
What’s Included in the Registration
Chef Coat, Apron & no cut glove
Included in the cost of Registration is an official Rooks to Cooks Chef Coat, Apron and safety glove. Returning camper? Have no fear! Opt out of a uniform at check out for a reduced price.
Daily Lunch
Throughout the cooking camp day, campers work through several recipes and prepare their own lunches. The food varies from day to day and includes delicious and nutritious hot meals that all our campers enjoy. Please note that our programs are peanut free and Allergy Aware.
Daily Take-Home Treats
At the end of each camp day, food will be sent home with campers in Tupperware containers. Tupperware containers are to be supplied by the families. Campers get to share their tasty creations with their family! Your children will be delighted to offer you a taste of all their hard work at cooking camp.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CAMPER AT ROOKS TO COOKS
Testimonials
2021 IN-PERSON SUMMER CAMP SESSIONS & DATES
CAMPS RUN FROM 9:00AM – 4:00PM MONDAY – FRIDAY
CAMPS ARE ALL AGES (8-14) AND CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 20 CAMPERS EACH WEEK
Budding Bakers (Ages 8 – 14)
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
$ 550.00 plus tax
Start date: August 16th, 2021
End date: August 20th, 2021
Objective: To teach our budding bakers foundational pastry and baking skills, while building their knowledge and self-confidence both in and out of the kitchen. Upon completing the program, campers will leave with the knowledge and skills to execute these recipes at home and share their brilliant bakes with the family for years to come.
Expand for full course description
Budding bakers is a fun and intensive baking camp to engage your aspiring chefs with a passion for the sweet side of life. This program features all aspects of the pastry arts, including both sweet and savoury recipes, pastry preparation, and various baking techniques.
Budding Bakers campers will develop their baking skills and learn how to make a wide range of baked goods from yeasted breads, enriched doughs, pastries and more. Each day we will focus on new techniques and pastry theories. The campers will then execute recipes that utilize this new knowledge as they prepare their own lunch and various other pastries.
Leaving the program, our bakers-to-be will know a wide range of baking techniques, the science behind the ratios that make their baked goods so delicious, and, of course, the practical experience needed to recreate the magic at home!
Menu sneak peek: Pizza Rolls, Baked Mac & Cheese, Old Fashion Ice Cream Sandwiches with Homemade Ice Cream, Homemade Oreos, Lemon Meringue Tart
The Budding Bakers menu is 100% vegetarian
Sweet and Savoury (Ages 8 – 14)
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
$ 550.00 plus tax
Start date: August 23rd, 2021
End date: August 27th, 2021
Objective: To teach our campers fundamental culinary and pastry skills while inspiring an interest and appreciation for vegan and gluten-free cuisine. Upon completing the program, campers will leave with a valuable understanding of how to work with a wide range of plant-based proteins, gluten-free ingredients and the knowledge, skills and confidence to execute these recipes at home.
Expand for full course description
Inspired by our amazing community of families with various dietary restrictions, Rooks to Cooks is pleased to release our newest and most inclusive camp program to date, Sweet & Savoury! Sweet and Savoury is the best of both worlds; a pastry and cooking camp. During the week, your multi-talented chef-in-training will learn fundamental cooking and baking techniques, proper knife skills, diverse cooking methods including how to utilize a wide range of plant-based proteins, gluten-free ingredients, and the value of teamwork in the kitchen.
While being the BEST gluten-free and vegan culinary course of its kind, Sweet & Savoury teaches all the foundational cooking and baking techniques required for optimal kitchen confidence, all while debunking any myths that gluten-free and vegan cuisine is inferior (spoiler alert, it’s NOT!). This camp offers the unique opportunity to familiarize your family with plant-based and gluten-free ingredients, and learn trade tricks on how to transform these ingredients into delicious creations EVERYONE will enjoy. Don’t miss out and join us for our most innovative program to date!
Menu sneak peek:
Savoury: Coconut Tikka Masala Chickpeas with Jasmine Rice, Teriyaki Tofu Lettuce Wraps, Black Bean Tacos with Guacamole and Slaw
Sweet: Funfetti Cupcakes, Coconut Mango Gelato, Homemade Lollipops
Sweet and Savoury is 100% vegan and gluten-free
Perfecting Pastries (Ages 8 – 14)
LIMITED SPOTS REMAINING
$ 550.00 plus tax
Start date: August 30th, 2021
End date: September 3rd, 2021
Objective: To teach our campers advanced pastry skills and knowledge while building their confidence in themselves and their abilities. Upon completing this program, our campers will understand the foundations of pastry preparation and have the skills to feel empowered to execute these recipes independently at home.
Expand for full course description
This year we’re raising the bar in this advanced pastry program! Perfecting Pastries is designed to challenge your chef-in-training to prepare pastry recipes they wouldn’t have the opportunity to bake on their own at home. From confectionery to perfectly flaky pie crust, your child will explore all that you can create with butter, sugar, flour and everything in-between! This program will feature both sweet and savoury baking, as campers will prepare their own culinary creations for lunch every day; however, the focus will be more-so on the sweets. We will delve into the importance of science in successful baking, and we place an emphasis on teaching theory so your pastry-chef-to-be will know all the why’s behind baking thereby ensuring their continued success in the kitchen.
Despite the advanced recipes this pastry program features, we welcome beginners who can join with a buddy who can support them throughout the session. After a week of hands-on practice and learning about pastry theory, they will build confidence in themselves to take on new challenges. Our experienced chefs will be there to guide and support your aspiring pastry chef through learning all the tricks of the trade.
Menu sneak peek:
Savoury: Calzones, Spanakopita with Homemade Phyllo, Loaded Veggie Quiche
Sweet: Nut-free Macarons, Homemade Croissants, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Gelato, Summer Berry Vanilla Swiss Roll
Perfecting Pastries is 100% vegetarian
WE ARE PEANUT FREE AND ALLERGY AWARE
Rooks to Cooks is both Peanut / Tree Nut Free and Allergy Aware! We ask that parents speak to our staff about any known allergies prior to the start of your program. We strive to accommodate all campers and we will work with parents and children to ensure that the necessary precautions have been taken. It is important that all parties (camp staff, parents and campers) clearly understand that, in no way, can we guarantee that we will be able to remove all allergy-inducing ingredients from our recipes.
We also offer optional Before and After camp care services.
Weekly Packages
Daily Packages:
• Before care from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – $15.00/day
• After care from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. -$15.00/day
• Emergency one-time care – $15.00
(Please note that before and after camp care is fully supervised child care only; no organized activities will be provided by the camp staff. Campers not picked up by 5:30 p.m. will be charged $15.00 late fee.)
WE’VE GOT FIVE FANTASTIC GTA LOCATIONS THIS SUMMER!
Bathurst & Lawrence
Asbury & West United Church – 3180 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 2A9
Midtown
First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto – 175 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M4V 1P
North York Bayview
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish (Bayview); 432 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, ON M2N 3B7
College & Bathurst
College Street United Church; 452 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A1
*This facility is not a nut-free facility though our program is completely nut-free
Etobicoke
Bloordale United Church; 4258 Bloor St W, Etobicoke
Store Locator is loading from Storemapper...
WHY ENROLL IN A COOKING CAMP?
Have you been searching for something new, educational and fun to occupy your child this summer? If so, then our cooking camps for kids are for you.
And here’s WHY:
- Children learn life skills and become more independent in and out of the kitchen.
- Expands their palates and encourages them to try new foods and flavours
- The lessons at our kids culinary summer camp are hands-on, team-based and fun.
- Gain an understanding of food and where it comes from.
- Learn about nutrition and gain an appreciation for healthy eating.
- Our small group sizes guarantee a thorough and intensive education.
- Campers meet new friends and socialize with other aspiring young chefs.
- Kids learn to safely navigate a kitchen and handle food.
- Our kids cooking summer camp experience creates amazing memories that will remain for years to come!