Passport to Flavor: A Teen Chef Camp

School’s out, and it’s time to turn up the heat in the kitchen! This fun and interactive five-day cooking camp for teens (ages 13-17) is perfect for budding chefs who want to sharpen their kitchen skills, explore global cuisines, and discover new flavors. Led by food writer and chef-instructor Shawnie Kelley, this hands-on experience will leave teens inspired and confident in the kitchen.

Each day focuses on a different culinary theme, featuring a mix of techniques, dishes, and cultural tidbits. No experience is needed—just a passion for cooking (and eating)! Campers will cook in teams of two, enjoy their creations with provided beverages, and leave with all the recipes to recreate their masterpieces at home.

Bonus Fun:
Each camper will receive a culinary passport, and they’ll collect stickers for each country they cook through during the week. By the end of camp, their passport will showcase their journey around the culinary world!

The Daily Menu:

• June 16, 2025 - Knife Skills, Kitchen Safety, and a Mexican Menu
  Get started with kitchen safety and learn pro-level knife skills. Then, head south of the border to whip up tortilla soup and fresh salsa with homemade tortilla strips and chips. Sauté meat, build a flavorful soup base, and season like a chef.
• June 17, 2025 - Let’s Go to Italy
  Learn to make pasta dough from scratch, cut two types of noodles, and pair them with marinara and alfredo sauces. Round out the menu with a classic Italian Insalata, complete with homemade vinaigrette and croutons.
• June 18, 2025 - Far East and Southeast Asia
  Master the stir-fry! Campers will prepare customized stir-fry dishes, create pork or veggie dumplings with a scallion soy dipping sauce, and dive into Indian cuisine with a rich butter chicken.
• June 19, 2025 - American Favorites
  Think deep-dish pizza, Cobb salad with buttermilk ranch, and hand pies filled with spiced apples. Campers will leave with pizza dough to try their skills at home.
• June 20, 2025 - Vive la France
  Finish strong with classic French dishes. Campers will make a buttery pastry crust for quiche and galettes, then practice swirling and flipping delicate Parisian crêpes.

Why They’ll Love It:

• Interactive Fun: Shawnie Kelley brings 17 years of teaching experience and a passion for global cuisines to make learning exciting.
• New Skills: From knife techniques to pastry-making, campers will leave with knowledge to impress their families.
• Team Cooking: Campers cook in pairs, learning teamwork and cooperation along the way.
• Creative Freedom: There's room to customize dishes, so every creation is uniquely theirs.
• Passport Adventure: Kids will love collecting stamps and stickers for each country they "visit" during camp!

Additional Information:

• Dates: June 16–20, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM each day
• Location: Mitchell Hall at Columbus State Community College, 250 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
• Cost: $600 for the full five-day camp
• What to Bring: The Mix provides aprons, but campers are welcome to bring their own.

Class Notes:

• Teens will be standing, cooking, and working for most of the class.
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes and tied-back long hair are required.
• Cancellation Policy: Cancel up to 48 hours before the class for a refund or class credit.

Spots are limited, so sign up today and let your teen embark on a delicious global adventure!

Host or Publisher TheMix@columbus state