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.

Ages: 4-7

March 23 -May 11

Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Kids learn basic knife and kitchen skills in a fun, relaxed kitchen. Classes are hands-on with an emphasis on healthy and balanced eating. Children will work independently, in pairs and in a groups to prepare something delicious to eat every class.

Ages: 8-10

March 20 - May 8

Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Exciting introduction to cooking. We’ll make bread, soup, pastry, pasta and also roast and fry. Every class will start with a healthy snack and we’ll make a full meal working individually, in pairs and in groups. (Pick up options available from St. Brigid’s, Earl Beatty and Gledhill.)

Ages: 10-13

March 21 - May 9

Thursdays 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Make a delicious meal every week PLUS learn to make bread, pastry and desserts. We’ll explore international cooking and students will have the opportunity to choose their own recipes. We will work independently, in pairs and in small groups to create individual and and family style meals. Will accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Ages: 14-17

March 21 - May 9

Thursdays 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Emphasis on independence! We’ll cover the basics of meal planning: prep, pacing, budgeting and students will get a chance to choose a recipe to prepare plus take the lead on planning. We will create individual and family-style meals and can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Ages: 14-17

March 23 - April 13

Thursdays 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Create a solid baking repertoire. In four weeks we'll cover, cake, buttercream, pastry, choux pastry, custard and macarons. Each week you'll go home with a dessert box with your own creation. This is an intermediate level baking class. Includes tea, coffee, fresh baked bread and light snacks. 

Ages 10 and up. 

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.

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 as specific as you can, we want you to make the most of your private lesson.

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.

Ages: 5 and Up

January 18 SOLD OUT
February 15
June 7

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. 

Ages: 5 and Up

9 am - 4 pm

Full Week Cooking Camp. Book one day or all five. Each day we cover a different cooking theme:

March 11, Bread Lovers Unite
March 12, Just Desserts
March 13, Sunday Dinner
March 14, Candy and Chocolate

Every class starts with a snack. We will go out to local markets to get ingredients and in the afternoon (weather permitting) will go to the playground at Gledhill. We can accommodate vegan and vegetarian preferences. Work Shop runs from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. HST included in price. (Ages 5 and up.) 

March 11, Bread Lovers Unite

We'll make bagels, cinnamon buns and baguettes.  We will cover the basics of bread making: blooming yeast, raising and kneading dough. You will go home with a dough starter kit that will provide you with enough yummy bread for a full week.

March 12, Just Desserts

We'll cover the basics of dessert making: pastry, classic vanilla cake, buttercream icing, doing a crumb coat and sculpting and decorating with fondant.

March 13, Sunday Dinner

Students make an old style Sunday dinner. They will roast a chicken or vegan casserole, cook vegetables, potatoes, salad and dessert (I did say it was Sunday dinner)!  

March 14, I Want CANDY!

We will make marshmallows, sponge toffee, butter toffee and homemade chocolates. Students will learn how to use (and calibrate) a candy thermometer and melt chocolate. 

Ages: 9 +

9 am - 4 pm

During this all day camp, students will go over recipes, plan menus and we will shop and budget for our food. We will hit local supermarkets and China Town East and farmer's markets. We'll go over the basics of a complete meal, cover how to plan and time a meal and discuss how to modify for sensitivities and allergies. Morning and afternoon snack and lunch provided. 

July 2 - July 5

Price: $400 plus HST ($52.00)

Little Chefs. Kids ages 4 - 7 

We'll prepare and cook morning and afternoon snacks and develop cooking skills making lunch and desserts each day. We'll practice cutting skills, go over food safety, learn about healthy eating and choices. Each day we'll go for a walk in the neighborhood to get groceries from local neighborhood shops. In the afternoon, we'll visit a local park to get some air. Before and after care available on request. 

July 8 - July 12

Price: $500 plus HST ($65.00)

Teen Baking Camps. Ages 12-15

Every day we'll prepare a morning and afternoon snack, shop for ingredients for lunch and bake something new each day. We'll cover the fundamentals of baking: pastry, choux pastry, cakes, pies, buttercream, meringue and custard and ice cream.  No previous baking or cooking experience required. 

July 15 - July 19

Price: $500 plus HST ($65.00)

Tween Cooking Ages 9-13

During this all day camp, students will go over recipes, plan menus and we will shop and budget for our food. We will hit local supermarkets and China Town East and farmer's markets. We'll go over the basics of a complete meal, cover how to plan and time a meal and discuss how to modify for sensitivities and allergies. 

July 22 - July 26

Price: $500 plus HST ($65.00)

Tweens Baking Camp Ages 9-13

Every day we'll prepare a morning and afternoon snack, shop for ingredients for lunch and bake something new each day. We'll cover the fundamentals of baking: pastry, choux pastry, cakes, pies, buttercream, meringue and custard and ice cream.  No previous baking or cooking experience required.

August 6 - August 9 

Price: $400 plus HST ($52.00)

Little Chefs. Kids ages 4 - 7 

We'll prepare and cook morning and afternoon snacks and develop cooking skills making lunch and desserts each day. We'll practice cutting skills, go over food safety, learn about healthy eating and choices. Each day we'll go for a walk in the neighborhood to get groceries from local neighborhood shops. In the afternoon, we'll visit a local park to get some air. Before and after care available on request. 

August 26 - August 30

Price: $500 plus HST ($65.00)

Teen Cooking Camps. Ages 12-15

Emphasis on independence! We'll cover the basics of meal planning: prep, pacing and budgeting and students will get a chance to choose a recipe to prepare and take the lead on planning. We will create individual and family-style meals and can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Workshops 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.

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

Expect to eat. All workshops start with a snack (usually fresh baked bread, tea and coffee and some fruit). You will always go home with samples (unless you eat everything there). All workshops include a light lunch.

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

Ages: 10 and up

Saturday, February 23

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Mexican Cuisine is easily adapted to vegan cooking. We'll make tofu and jackfruit tacos, refried beans  and pineapple cilantro salad. You'll eat what you cook and go home with extras and the recipes. 

Ages 10+

Wednesday, February 27

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 

Bring your 6 quart or 8 quart Instant Pot make delicious dry rubbed ribs, vegetarian chili and  Japanese Style Cheesecake! 

Required Equipment:

Instant Pot

Trivet (the little rack that came with your pot.)

Springform Pan

Includes glass of wine. 

Ages 19+

Ages: 19 and up

Wednesday, March 6

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 

In this Asian themed workshop we'll cook Pot Stickers (vegan and pork), Shrimp Soup with Ginger, Lemongrass and Rice Vermicelli (Vegan option available) and Vegan Spring Rolls. Includes a glass of wine and fresh baked bread. 

19 +

Ages: 19+

Wednesday, March 20

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Make homemade pasta and cook 2 different pasta dishes. Have dinner and go home with extras and the recipes. Includes a glass of wine.

Ages 19+

Ages: 10+

Sunday, March 24 

11:00 am - 2:00 pm 

Have you ever wanted to make your own bread? In this three hour workshop we will cover the basics of bread making: blooming yeast, raising and kneading dough and making non-yeasted soda bread and biscuits. You will go home with a dough starter kit that will provide you with enough yummy bread for a full week. Light lunch and snacks provided.  Ages 10 +

Ages: 10+

Saturday, April 20

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm 

Make your own Easter Chocolates! Fill them with buttercream, replicate the Cadbury Easter egg and fill them with marshmallows. Students will learn how to use (and calibrate) a candy thermometer and melt chocolate. Fresh baked bread and veggies and fruit and dip. Ages 10 and up. 

Ages: 19+

Thursday, February 14

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm 

Did you know, couples that go on dates once a month are 30% more likely to stay together? Time to book that babysitter!  Menu includes fresh oysters, squash salad, shrimp pasta, seared scallops, Brussels Sprouts slaw and end with homemade ice cream and chocolates. Learn to cook these dishes in a fun, relaxed setting and go home with the recipes. 

Includes cocktail, wine with dinner and an aperitif. 

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.  

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

We do not offer storage.

• Rates in the day are $35 per hour plus HST
• Evening rates $30 per hour plus HST

Contact us for reservations or more details.