Every kid loves mac & cheese. But how many kids know how to make it? Junior Sous is inspiring the next generation of Seattle chefs by giving kids an opportunity to create and try new foods in a safe and encouraging environment. If you have a little chef at home, this is a program you really should check out.
The classes are run by two Seattle chefs, Brianna Bato Draper and Sarah Adams. What’s really neat about these classes is that they take place in real restaurants, not in a classroom setting, which makes it a very unique experience. Kids get the opportunity to cook in the same neighborhood kitchens that they may have visited as a guest with their families. The restaurants change week to week, but they are often familiar to Sarah and Brianna. For example, when my son took the Mac & Cheese class, it was held in the Ethan Stowell restaurant Rione XIII where Sarah had worked as the Sous Chef.
The classes usually take place on Saturday mornings, and you’ll want to book a spot well in advance. The class sizes are small, which gives your child plenty of time to ask questions and ample opportunity to get hands on with the cooking process. After the dish is prepared, they all get to enjoy the meal together. It is such a great idea for a cooking class and an experience your child will really enjoy, especially if they have aspirations of becoming a chef.
While my son learned to cook, my wife and I went to the restaurant next door to have brunch. It was kind of nice to have a meal on our own while knowing my son was having a great time.
At the end of the cooking class, my son brought home some leftovers along with the recipe and a bag of the Lagana Pasta they used to make the dish. It was neat to see that Sarah and Brianna like to support local businesses with the products they use. And I was equally impressed with the variety of foods that they cook in the classes. Just looking over the calendar of classes I saw everything from crepes to pizza, to bread. They also have some advanced techniques classes, and I noticed those sell out especially fast.
For only $65, the classes are a bargain considering the quality of the experience and the amount of enjoyment your child will get out of it. You can find more info and check for upcoming classes at juniorsous.com. And I personally recommend following the Junior Sous Instagram feed because it is always filled with incredible food photos.
