Kids’ Test Kitchen

Kids’ Test Kitchen runs hands-on cooking classes designed to build food confidence in children. Rather than simply teaching recipes, the program uses cooking as a way for kids to discover new foods, practice lifelong kitchen skills and develop a healthier relationship with what they eat. Its stated aim is to redefine kid food, and every class is built around pressure-free exploration, where curiosity is encouraged and each child’s decision about whether to taste something is respected.

Classes are led by facilitators who guide small groups through preparing and sampling food together. Facilitators do not need to be professional chefs; the program recruits educators, healthcare professionals, retirees, college students and others who enjoy helping people learn through hands-on experiences and who stay patient and positive with participants at every stage. Based in Wakefield, the organization tries to assign facilitators to classes close to home and lets them choose opportunities that fit their schedules.

What to Know

• Classes are typically held after school and meet once a week for a series of sessions.
• The program is currently recruiting facilitators through a brief online application.
• Facilitators have their own login portal on the program’s website.