Cooking School

Dickie’s Cooking School has one goal: to get you to love your own cooking. Our classes are small and hands-on. We work on our own, in pairs and in groups. You’ll learn how to make bread, pastry, stock and how to roast.

Lessons can accommodate, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free and lactose-free options. There are nuts on the premises, but they are all kept in lidded glass jars and will never be used if someone has an allergy. If you have a sensitivity or allergy, let us know and we'll be sure to prepare for it.

We offer classes and workshops for ages 4 and up and they are grouped in 8 and 9 week blocks — following the natural breaks in the school year.

Want something more specific, tailored to your needs? You can arrange for private, semi-private or private classes.

Expect to eat. All classes start with a snack (usually fresh baked bread, tea and coffee and some fruit). The classes move at a steady pace and combine instructional and hands on learning. You will always go home with samples (unless you eat everything there). Full-day PA Day Camps and Summer camps provide all the snacks, drinks and a full meal at lunch.

Come wearing comfortable, supportive closed-toe shoes and dress in casual comfortable clothing.

School looks different this Fall but kids can still experience the magic of in-class workshops by signing up for a weekly daytime Virtual Cooking Class or coming into our East-End Toronto kitchen within their pods or bubbles.

Tuesdays,  November 3 - November 24
11 am - 1 pm

What makes a meal healthy? Why are fibre and protein important? How can we plan a meal according to Canada’s Food Guide.In this 4 week course, your kids will  explore all of these questions AND learn to make healthy, delicious meals. The lessons will tie into Ontario Curriculum expectations in Health, Math, Science and Language Arts. You’ll receive all the recipes in advance along with extra materials and recipes so your kids can continue their love of cooking in between classes. Parental supervision required. 

Wednesdays, October 7 - October 28
11 am - 1:30  pm

What makes a balanced meal? How much do groceries cost? What impact does farming have on our environment? What do food labels tell us about the food we are eating? In this four-week cooking course, we will explore these questions AND learn to make healthy balanced meals. The lessons will tie into the Ontario Curriculum expectations in Health, Science, Math and Language Arts.  You’ll receive all the recipes in advance along with extra materials and recipes so your kids can continue their love of cooking in between classes. 

Thursday, October 8 - October 29
11 am - 1:30 pm

How does food advertising impact our food choices? Does our diet impact our energy and focus? What roles do protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrates play on our health? In this four week cooking course we’ll explore all these questions and learn how to make and budget for healthy and balanced meals. The lessons will tie into the Ontario Curriculum expectations in Science, Math, Language Arts and Healthy Eating. You’ll receive all the recipes in advance along with extra materials and recipes so students can continue their love of cooking in between classes.

Do you have your own Covid Bubble? Book a custom, group cooking class for your bubble. You can tailor the menu, and we can provide resources and materials to complement the Ontario Curriculum. 

Lesson Length: 3 hours
Class size: up to 7 kids

Have your own Pandemic Pod/Covid Bubble? You can have a cooking lesson tailored specifically to your Pod’s interests. Consult with the instructor to tailor the menu and even the follow up activities for students to work on at home. Lessons can be tied to specific Ontario Curriculum expectations. Classes will take place on site at Dickie’s Cooking School and will strictly follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing.  Ask us about customizing this for a Virtual experience for your group.

Thursdays 4 pm - 6 pm 
November 5 - November 26
Ages 4 -8

Every class starts with a healthy snack. We’ll prepare dinner and dessert and explore the nutritional value of foods, learn knife skills, kitchen safety and most importantly, learning to love the food you cook. Classes are hands-on with an emphasis on healthy and balanced eating. Students will work independently, in pairs and in groups. Classes will take place on site at Dickie’s Cooking School and will strictly follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing. 

Wednesdays, 4 pm - 6 pm
November 4 - November 28
Ages 9-13

Every class starts with a healthy snack. We’ll prepare dinner and dessert and explore the nutritional value of foods, learn knife skills, kitchen safety and most importantly, learning to love the food you cook. Classes are hands-on with an emphasis on healthy and balanced eating. Students will work independently, in pairs and in groups. Classes will take place on site at Dickie’s Cooking School and will strictly follow Ministry of Health guidelines for social distancing. 

Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 
Ages 16 and up.
October 8 - October 29

Emphasis on independence! We are thrilled to be offering programs tailored to young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum and Mild Intellectual Disability. The instructor holds a teaching certificate with the Ontario College of Teachers and has a Specialist in Special Education.
Each class starts with a healthy snack and we'll prepare a full meal. We will cover the nutritional benefits of food, discuss planning and pacing a meal and students will head home with samples. This is a hands-on cooking class. We'll cover knife skills, foo. Masks are required and social distancing enforced!

Fridays, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 
October 9 - October 30
Ages 14 and up.

Emphasis on independence! We are thrilled to be offering programs tailored to young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum and Mild Intellectual Disability. The instructor holds a teaching certificate with the Ontario College of Teachers and has a Specialist in Special Education.
Each class starts with a healthy snack and we'll prepare a full meal. We will cover the nutritional benefits of food, discuss planning and pacing a meal and students will head home with samples. This is a hands-on cooking class. We'll cover knife skills, foo. Masks are required and social distancing enforced!

Includes 10 Instructional Videos
Special Bonus: 30-page, step-by-step PDF cookbook
Ages 9+

Get your kids making delicious, balanced lunches they'll actually eat. Bonus cookbook features 10 kid-tested recipes, each with their own instructional video detailing step-by-step instructions. Your children will learn:

• how to prep and pace a meal
• basic knife skills
• kitchen hygiene
• how to substitute ingredients

Click here to get started. 

Get new on demand video once a week for four weeks. 
Ages 12+

Four week Indian Cooking Course will cover Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, Samosas, Daal, Malai Kofta and Aloo Gobi and Naan. Every Friday you'll get the recipes, shopping list, substitution guide and video tutorials delivered to your inbox. Unlimited email/text access to your instructor to ask questions.

Click here to get started. 

Get new on demand video lessons once a week for four weeks. 
Ages 12+

Up your baking game and master: pastry, choux pastry, custard, lemon curd, cake, classic French buttercream and Swiss Meringue and cookies. You'll receive weekly online lessons with video tutorials, recipes and substitutions delivered to your inbox and have opportunity to communicate by text and email with your instructor. 

Click here to get started.  

 

Individual

Dates/times available when you register

You have two hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be as specific as you can, we want you to make the most of your private lesson.

Individual

Dates/times available when you register

Cook in th comfort of your own home! You have two hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be as specific as you can, we want you to make the most of your private lesson.

Couples

Dates/times available when you register

You have two hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be a specific as you can, I want you to make the most of your private lesson.

Couples

Dates/times available when you register

Get private one-on-one instruction from the comfort of your home. You'll get your recipes and shopping list ahead of time as well as detailed instructions for substitutions. You have two hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be a specific as you can, I want you to make the most of your private lesson.

Couples

Dates/times available when you register

Gather up to 10 people and have a group cooking party. You have two hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them in the comfort of your own home. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be a specific as you can, I want you to make the most of your private lesson.

Couples

Dates/times available when you register

Gather up to 10 people and have a group cooking party. You have 2.5 hours and you decide exactly how you want to spend them in the comfort of your own home. We can cook a specific meal or dessert, appetizers or cocktails. Be a specific as you can, I want you to make the most of your private lesson.

We offer a wide range of workshops for kids, adults and families. Workshops typically run between 2 and 3 hours. Live workshops require face masks and we will practice social distancing. 

You will get a PDF of the recipes and provide containers for you to take your food home. Please let us know if you have any allegies or food sensitivies and we'll do our best  to accommodate you. 

Expect to eat. All workshops start with a snack (usually fresh baked bread, tea and coffee and some fruit). The classes move at a steady pace and combine instructional and hands on learning. You will always go home with samples (unless you eat everything there). Full-day PA Day Camps and Summer camps provide all the snacks, drinks and a full meal at lunch.

Come wearing comfortable, supportive closed-toe shoes and dress in casual comfortable clothing.

Saturday, October 10
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Ages 9 and up (Younger children can come with an older sibling or parent.)

Just in time for Thanksgiving! Make your own pastry and go home with a full apple OR pumpkin pie. Snacks, coffee and tea provided. 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, Saturday October 10. Kids ages 9 and up can come on their own. Younger kids can come with an older sibling or parent. 

Sunday, October 11
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Let's cook a Thanksgiving Feast together! Does roasting a turkey scare you? Have you never tried making stuffing or cranberry sauce. You get the ingredients and we'll make a Thanksgiving Feast together.

Saturday, October 24
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Ages 9 and up (Younger children can come with an older sibling or parent.)

Learn how to make homemade pasta dough and ravioli. you'll go home with fresh pasta and ravioli. Light lunch, coffee and tea included. 

Ages: 5 and Up

9 am - 4 pm

During this all day camp, we'll decide as a group what we'll make for lunch, dessert and snack. We’ll go over possible recipes and make shopping lists and then hit local green grocers, butcher shops and the neighborhood supermarket. Morning and afternoon snacks and full lunch provided. Weather permitting, we'll go to the local park in the afternoon. This is a hands-on cooking class and kids will each have an opportunity to cook and prepare food. Work Shop runs from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. HST included in price. (ages 6 and up.) Before and after care is available upon request. 

November 20

9 am - 4 pm

January 15

9 am - 4 pm

February 12

9 am - 4 pm

June 4

9 am - 4 pm

Camps can accommodate, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free and lactose-free options. There are nuts on the premises, but they are all kept in lidded glass jars and will never be used if someone has an allergy. If you have a sensitivity or allergy, let us know and we'll be sure to prepare for it.

Expect to eat. Full-day PA Day Camps and Summer camps provide all the snacks, drinks and a full meal at lunch.

Come wearing comfortable, supportive closed-toe shoes and dress in casual comfortable clothing.

Parties can accommodate, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free and lactose-free options. Be sure to mention dietary restrictions.

Love your kids, but hate hosting their parties? You’re not alone. So, why don’t you let us do it?

We can plan the menu and accommodate any dietary restrictions or sensitivities. A standard party is 2-3 hours long. We’ll start with a light snack and then get down to cooking. What we cook will depend on the age of the kids and how comfortable they are in the kitchen.

This will be followed with a light lunch and the kids go home with their very own homemade loot bags. Easy peasy.

What if you aren’t a kid? No worries, rent my space for an adult private party. We can plan the menu down to the last detail.

Up to 10 guests: Includes snacks, iced tea or lemonade and we make lunch or decorate cakes with icing and fondant.

Up to 10 guests: Includes snacks, iced tea or lemonade and light lunch AND decorate cakes with icing and fondant.

Up to 10 guests. Guests get a complete meal (their choice) and light snacks and refreshments are on hand (you can choose from a selection of bread, dips, and cheese). Wine or cocktails for parents who stick around. We’ll have a cooking demo and a cooking activity.

You call the shots! What do you want to make? Or, maybe you want to make nothing and leave all the cooking to us. Customize a private party with up to 10 guests. Guests get a complete meal plus, appetizers and a cocktail or a glass of wine and dessert. Additional alcohol can be purchased.

We'll take care of Everything. You can hand pick your menu, drinks and dessert and we'll take care of the details right down to your playlist.

Relax. We've got this.

Gather your crew to create a three course meal together. Cooking is the perfect activity to collaborate, improvise and accommodate. We will host your event, help you plan your menu, outline the menus and assemble all the ingredients and tools. In the end, you'll enjoy  a three course meal and top it off with a glass of wine or a cocktail. (You can purchase more if you like!) 

Up to 10 people

Need to accommodate more people or more time? Tell us what you want to do and we'll start planning. 

 

How about a little friendly competition a la Nailed It?  Divide your group into teams and bake and decorate a cake. Use fondant, icing, glazes and sprinkles. Before it wraps you'll enjoy meal of your choice and  appetizers and a glass of wine or cocktail  (You can purchase more if you like!) 

Need to accommodate more people or more time? Tell us what you want to do and we'll start planning.  

Dickie's Cooking School is available for rental for food preparation.

We do not offer storage.

• 1/2 day (4 hours) $150
• Full Day (8 hours) $250

Contact us for reservations or more details.