Junior chefs will dive into learning about our local foods and the growers behind them in the Bay Area, where much of our country's food is shipped from. Chefs will explore various aspects of food systems such as the activities, infrastructure, and environments involved in food production and processing for market retail. Additionally, older students will learn about the distribution to local grocery stores and the importance of appropriate waste disposal, as well as how to read labels when trying to make good choices. Our classes will also cover efforts and organizations aimed at avoiding unnecessary food waste, including initiatives focused within our local Menlo Park / RWC / Palo Alto communities.

This is a summer series of cooking classes, offering 3 or 5 hours per class, running from June 20- August 8th. Spaces are limited to 4-6 chefs per class for a fun, intimate, indoor / outdoor setting.

  • Beginner class for ages 5-8 (3 hours): Cost $65, all materials included

  • Advanced class for ages 7-8 to 15+ (5 hours): Cost $125, all materials included

    15% discount for siblings and payment options. Low-Income pricing available. Email: NourishFlourish650@gmail.com or call 415-272-5596 for info.

Events & Class Schedule:

Beginner classes, best for ages 5-10 (Click on a link below to register):

·    7/31/2024 1:30-4:30pm Creamy Pasta Menu just added! 1 space left

    • Fresh Pasta (Spinach Penne) w/Creamy garlic sauce

    • Curly Kale salad with grilled Peaches & Honey Lemon vinaigrette

    • Italian Ricotta Cheese Cookies

    • Fresh-Pressed Juice of the day

·    8/8/2024 10:00-12:30pm Pizza Menu (ages 5 - 7 ONLY)

    • Healthy Flatbread Pizzas with meat and veggie selections

    • Chef Nina’s ‘Chef’s Salad’ w/ Reduced fat ranch

    • Healthy-ish Banana Split w/ the group

    • Fresh-Pressed Juice of the day

·    8/15/2024: 1:30-4:30pm Persian Menu

    • Loobia Polo: A Rice dish consisting of green beans, tomato base, and ground meat. Can be made vegetarian.

    • Sekanjebin and greens: A traditional mint and vinegar syrup used for dipping lettuce or making fresh summer mock-tails

    • Kuku Sabzi: Traditional herbal egg pancake

    • Fresh Pressed Juice

Advanced classes, best for ages 7-15+ (Click on a link below to register):

·    7/30/2024: 9:30am-2:00pm Sushi Menu (Vegetarian Options)

    • Sashimi / Sushi rolls: Fish and Vegetarian options

    • Steamed garlic edamame & Miso Soup

    • Gyoza (meat or veggie)

    • Fluffy Japanese style Cheesecake

    • Fresh - Pressed Juice of the day

·    8/06/2024: 10:00am-2:00pm Baking class

    • Rosemary Cheddar Homemade Pretzels (gluten free option)

    • VIP Birthday Cake : Garden Carrot Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Savory Quiche Recipe : w/cheese (gluten free, meat and veg options)

    • Clafoutis: w/summer stonefruit (gluten free option)

·    8/13/2024: 10:00am-2:00pm Grilling : Burgers with Summer Sides (Vegetarian and gluten free options)

    • Healthy Cheeseburgers w/ ‘the fixin's’ (grass fed beef or handmade organic veggie burger),

    • Green Goddess Veggie Pasta Salad

    • Grilled Summer Squash w/ creamy Feta and fresh herb dipping sauce

    • ‘Grilled Peach’ Pie - the ‘Nourish & Flourish’ version w/ homemade whipped cream & cinnamon roasted pecans!

    • Homemade Lemonade w/maple syrup


*All ingredients are sourced locally and organic whenever possible

Check back regularly for newly added classes!

Cooking and Kitchen Basics

Beginner chefs are welcomed to explore the kitchen and understand simple processes and tool techniques. Each class all chefs will prep and cook a simple, balanced healthy meal, with a copy of the recipe to bring home and share with family. Students will leave class with a basic knowledge of chopping veggies, prepping food to cook, what nutritional value the meal created includes, and where and how to choose healthy food options from local sources.

An Intro to Food Systems

Most people are unaware of the processes in motion when we go to the grocery store to buy our favorite fruits and vegetables. All students at Nourish & Flourish will have the experience of discussing the various food systems just here within the Bay Are that bring us all the varieties of food we see at the store, and how our communities can help get involved in creating sustainability programs that offer healthy food to everyone. Beginner and advanced classes will have access to a kitchen and neighborhood urban garden for sourcing as many ingredients as possible.

Sample Recipes for Advanced Chefs

For Advanced chefs who have already surpassed kitchen basics, we offer advanced recipes and outings that educate youth about how to make healthy choices at the store, and how to create healthy balanced meals at home. Once we return from the store, students will assemble something from the following recipes to prepare as a team:

  • Loobia Polo with ground chicken (Persian veg and meat rice main) (vegetarian version available)

  • Kuku Sabzi: A spinach and herb based omlette

  • Sholeh Zard: Saffron base rice pudding with cinnamon

  • Fresh pressed Spinach and Pineapple juice