Welcome to 2025 Summer Camps/Workshops, and MCAI Teen, a professional culinary workshop presented by our sister school, Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute.

PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR AN UPDATED SCHEDULE IN JANUARY 2025!

This summer we are offering our usual half day cooking camps, and also a full-day camp, combining both morning and afternoon camps at a significant discount. The best deal is all day for the entire week. These camps are open to ages 8-11 and 12-17.

We also have our monthly munchkin camps for ages 5-7. These classes are only Tuesday – Thursday for 2 hours.

 For kids who are more advanced on their culinary journey, we are offering a full week of professional instruction for teens based on our professional culinary arts program, Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute:

Quick Links:   

• Summer Camp/Workshops, full day and half day, for ages 8-11 and 12-17, in TBD
• Sign up for two hour Summer Munchkin Camps, for ages 5-7, in TBD
• Sign up for MCAI Teen Professional Culinary Arts Week –  TBD

New this year, we are offering a full week of professional instruction for teens based on our professional culinary arts program, Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute. This is open to teens who are looking to enter the industry one day and want an early taste of life on the line, or those kids who’s skills surpass our summer camp curriculum and yearn to learn the skills and techniques used by professional chefs. This is open to teens only ages 13-19. 

How is this different from the usual summer cooking camps you offer?

•  In this class you will be learning to utilize all of the heating equipment: ovens, grills, gas stoves, etc.
• You’ll be focused on skills but also timing and temperature, checking for doneness, working on recipes, ingredients and substitutions.
• You’ll learn recipes on various dishes including some baking, all week long.
• Plating, baking, inventory and prep will be a big part of the final part of the week. At the end you will be cooking in a mini restaurant setting where you will serve guests lunch on Friday.

Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute, is a post-secondary professional culinary school, located inside our facility, and is fully supported by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV). Upon completion of a 14 week or 26 week program, MCAI graduates move into positions to work on the line in prestigious restaurants around the DMV.

• Refund Policy

If you have to cancel for any reason, cancellation fees are based on how far in advance we receive your cancellation notice via phone or email cancellation.

61-75 days prior – Cancellation Fee of 50% of original camp price (Which means 50% refund or credit)
31-60 days prior – Cancellation Fee of 75% of original camp price (Which means 25% refund or credit)
0-30 days prior – Cancellation Fee of 100% of original camp price (Which means Zero Refund)
No refunds will be given for partially cancelled/attended camps – regardless of Covid – credit will be given. Stay safe.
Exceptions to this policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies

• What’s the difference between a camp and a workshop?

Young kids and tweens do not care that they are attending a camp. However, some teens have an issue about being in a camp–so we renamed it “workshop.” Typically the afternoon, is reserved for workshops, because we know older kids like to sleep in during the summer. Other than the name, there is no difference. All of the classes are all 3.5 hours, five days per week and taught by a professional chef, except for the classes for ages 5-7. The 5-7 year old camp is two hours, three days per week and taught by a professional chef.

• Class Timing?

Length of time depends on the students ability to grasp concepts and complete dishes. Each class gives students thirty extra minutes to eat, and it’s built into the time. It’s rare that the class runs slightly over, more often than not the kids finish on time or slightly early. Parents are asked to wait in the Mall just outside Cookology upon pick-up, if possible.

• Allergies/Food Restrictions/ Learning Abilities?

Yes we can accommodate allergies and food restrictions. It’s rare we use pork or peanut products. There will always be vegetarian options. Please state in the allergies section during checkout your preferences.Learning Abilities: Please let us know if your child needs extra assistance. Please inform us in the registration form.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a reusable bottle that they can keep refilling with water if necessary. We will provide juice boxes, breakfast bars and snacks. Please make sure kids have had breakfast before the 9am camp and lunch 1:30pm camp.
To-Go Containers?

We can provide containers but in order to be more environmental please provide your children with a few containers from home.