Teaching Kitchen Summer Camp 2026

Join us in the one-of-a-kind UC Berkeley Nutritional Sciences Teaching Kitchen for a fun, hands-on cooking camp designed for youth ages 8–12! Campers will explore food science, basic cooking skills, and the joy of preparing delicious meals in a supportive, interactive environment. Through teamwork, creativity, and tasting along the way, kids will build confidence in the kitchen while learning how food connects to culture, community, and health.

This camp is offered in collaboration with UC Berkeley’s Master of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics program, giving campers the chance to learn from future nutrition professionals in a vibrant, educational setting.

Overview

Our camp and curriculum have intentional messaging related to a non-diet approach to health and nutrition in order to build body competence and create curious and healthy relationships to food & body. Additional activities will include art, some movement, and other creative outlets to support skills such as self-care.

Camp will be developed and led by our Teaching Kitchen Director, a Registered Dietitian with over 15 years of experience in pediatric, sports & culinary nutrition, with support from the Master's of Nutritional Science & Dietetics graduate program at UC Berkeley.

Culinary & Cooking Experience 

This camp will be suited for kids of all culinary backgrounds, we believe in engaging kids of all levels in the kitchen though we do expect kids be mature enough to listen well and respond to feedback given in order to keep our camp a safe & inclusive space for learning! 

Safety & Minors at UC Berkeley Teaching Kitchen

All camp staff will be trained and operate under UC Berkeley's guidelines and protocols for working with minors, which includes mandated training and background checks. Our staff-to-camper ratio will be 1:8 since we will be working in a kitchen and want to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all.

CPR trained staff will be on site.

A modern, bright kitchen or cooking classroom with multiple light wood islands, white countertops, blue cooking utensils, and overhead white range hoods.

Photo by Mathew Burciaga

Enroll Today

Examples of snacks

All homemade, seasonal & local produce as much as possible

  • Lemon ricotta pancakes
  • Muffins
  • Smoothies
  • Create your own trail mix
  • Eggs your way
  • Granola

Examples of lunch items

Menu items subject to change

  • Fried rice (variations)
  • Quesadillas or tacos (veggie and protein variations)
  • Quiche or frittatas
  • Homemade pasta with sauce variations
  • Grain-based salads with dressings
  • Burgers (variations) with seasonal veggie fries & dips/condiments

NOTE: Additional details of the menu may be shared upon request beginning in mid-to-late May.

Examples of our rotating educational curriculum for the day include

  • knife skills & knife safety
  • food science
  • culinary nutrition
  • hospitality/foodservice
  • food sourcing (in collaboration with the Oxford Tract farm)
  • sustainable food & cooking
  • self-care
  • basics of meal planning
  • intuitive eating practices (honoring your hunger, listening to body cues)
  • body competence & body positivity principles.

We have a partnership with the Berkeley Art Studio, which will lead an activity for one day of camp in each session.