Kids Cooking Classes in Columbia, MO
Four ways for kids to actually learn to cook, from age 3 through 17.
Real skills, real food, real fun. Taught by Chef Ashley at Como Cooks Kitchen.
Scroll down to see each class details including ages, pricing and menus.
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“Chef Ashley makes cooking fun and easy with tips for the kids! The parent and kid class is so relaxed, fun, and the recipes are well thought out and easy to follow! Always a great time!.”
-Denean Brady
Mini Chef Cooking Class
A 45-minute cooking class for the youngest chefs ages 3 to 6. One parent attends.
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“We adore Chef Ashley. She is always high energy for the kiddos and has a lot of fun ideas for the mini -chefs!”
-DeAnna Flo Anglin
What Kids Learn During Mini Chef Classes
Measuring with cups and spoons Working clean & being safe in the kitchen Mixing, stirring, and kneading dough Trying new foods without pressure Safe knife skills using kid-safe tools Many recipes they can make with little to no help
Class starts with hand-washing and aprons. Then I walk every kid through one full recipe, hands-on, start to finish. One adult stays as their sous chef, helping only as needed. At the end, every mini chef takes home what they made plus I email the recipes so they can prepare them again at home. The whole thing is 45 minutes, which is right at the edge of a three-year-old's attention span, and that's intentional.
2026 Schedule
January 3, 2026 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
February 7, 2026 Chocolate Covered Heart Shaped Bananas
March 7, 2026 Chocolate Chip Muffins
April 4, 2026 Fruit Salad with Fresh Whipped Cream
May 2, 2026 Taco Pie
June 6, 2026 Cupcake Decorating
July 2026 No class. Summer camps run instead.
August 1, 2026 Pizza Party
September 5, 2026 Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Cookies
October 3, 2026 Candy Bark
November 7, 2026 Turkey Wraps
December 5, 2026 Holiday Rice Crispy Treats
Mini Chef FAQs
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Yes, more than most adults expect! Three-year-olds measure, mix, knead, sprinkle, and stir. They use kid-safe knives on soft foods like bananas and strawberries. The class is built around what kids that age can actually do to help build their kitchen confidence!
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Not for this class! It is designed for one adult to sous chef for one mini chef.
The space is limited which is why one one adult per child is allowed. -
You don't have to do anything. But as a parent of 3 kids myself, I know some kids want to know exactly what to expect, and some need to so they can settle into a new setting.
Here's what to tell them:
They get to come to a big kitchen, like the kind chefs use in restaurants
They're going to make [whatever the dish for that day is] and they'll get to eat it and bring some home
There will be hand-washing, some waiting, and being patient at parts, but most of the class is cooking
There will be up to 7 other kids in the room, and each kid has an adult with them
They'll need to follow safety rules (one of the grandmas in a recent Columbia Missourian piece called it a "cooking party," which is honestly a great way to frame it if your kid is hesitant about the word "class")
One thing that's really common at this age, especially on the younger end: kids are SO excited to come, then they get here and shut down, suddenly shy. That is completely normal. Most of them open up by the end of the class. Many of my regulars were so nervous their first time they didn't even want to put an apron on, and now they show up ready to learn and give me a big hug when they walk in.
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I offer a buy 4, get 1 free package for this class, which can be shared between siblings.
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Contact Chef Ashley FIRST, before you book.
Some restrictions can be accommodated for classes with advance notice, but the honest answer depends on the class, the menu, and what's being prepared around it in a shared kitchen.
Therefore, I'd rather talk it through with you up front to ensure it is workable before signing up!
Ready To Book?
Spots tend to fill quickly, so be sure to grab yours today!
Kids Culinary Cooking Club
90 Minutes of hands-on culinary learning for children ages 7-12. They will prepare one entree and one sweet treat per class in a real commercial kitchen!
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“Kids cooking class with chef Ashley was great! Small class size, fun environment, delicious recipes! My daughter was apprehensive about her first cooking class, but chef Ashley was so calm and patient with her instructions. Everyone’s dish was a success. Highly recommend. Thanks Back to Basics!”
-Renee Munns
Some Of What Kids Learn During The Kids Cooking Club
Knife Skills Recipe Reading
Using the Stove & Oven Kitchen Safety
Baking Basics Team Work
Kids put on aprons and wash up. Each kid has their own work station but sometimes we team up to complete a recipe. I walk the room, teach the techniques of the day, and step in only when needed. The class runs 90 minutes and they prepare an entree and sweet treat each class. Recipes are emailed so you never have to worry about losing them!
2026 Schedule
January 3, 2026 Chicken Fajitas + Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
February 7, 2026 Breakfast Sausage Bites + Heart Shaped Pancakes
March 7, 2026 Baked Teriyaki Chicken + Chocolate Chip Muffins
April 4, 2026 Caesar Salad with Croutons + Fruit Salad with Fresh Whipped Cream
May 2, 2026 Taco Pie + Apple Pie Cookies
June 6, 2026 Baked Chicken Bites + Cupcake Decorating
July 2026 No class. Summer camps run instead.
August 1, 2026 Pizza + Ice Cream In a Bag
September 5, 2026 Italian Meatballs + Chocolate Chip Cookies
October 3, 2026 Chicken Fried Rice + Candy Bark
November 7, 2026 Turkey Wraps + M&M Cookies
December 5, 2026 Philly Cheesesteak Sliders + Holiday Rice Crispy Treats
Kids Culinary Cooking Club FAQs
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You've got both options. Drop off and pick up 85 minutes later, or stick around. One parent is welcome to stay and watch, just not cook alongside your kid (that's their station to run). Plenty of parents drop off and run errands. Others stay and watch. Either works.
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Yes when needed, so it depends on the class.
Proper technique and safety are taught while only half the class gets a knife at a time. This ensures I can keep an eye on them. -
Contact Chef Ashley FIRST, before you book.
Some restrictions can be accommodated for classes with advance notice, but the honest answer depends on the class, the menu, and what's being prepared around it in a shared kitchen.
Therefore, I'd rather talk it through with you up front to ensure it is workable before signing up! -
Yes! Keep scrolling down to the Junior Chefs ‘N Chaperones class which is specifically designed for one adult and one child ages 7-15 to prepare an meal together.
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I offer a buy 4, get 1 free package for this class, which can be shared between siblings.
Ready To Book?
Seats are limited, so be sure to grab yours today!
Teen Culinary Masters
A 2 hour cooking class for the teens (and almost teens) in your life to learn real life skills.
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“My son had an amazing time cooking with Chef Ashley and his classmates!! We will definitely be doing more classes in the future!”
-Kelly Pollock
Skills Teens Work On During The Teen Culinary Masters Classes
Knife Skills Flavor Enhancements
Baking Foundations Creativity with Plating & Presentation
Kitchen & Food Safety Customizing Recipes
Two hours for your teen to get off screens and into the kitchen to learn a life skill they will use as they continue to find their independence in life! They will prepare an entree and sweet treat and take home whatever they don’t eat in class. You get copies of the recipes to your inbox so that you don’t have to worry about them getting lost!
2026 Schedule
January 31, 2026: Chicken & Pasta Alfredo Bake + S more's Cake
February 28, 2026: Pizza + Soft Pretzels + Apple Pie Cookies
March 29, 2026: Chicken & Veggie Quesdillas + Baked Churros
September 6, 2026: Best Salad Challenge + S’mores Cookies
October 4, 2026: Build Your Own Breakfast Burrito + Lemon Blueberry Scones
Teen Culinary Masters FAQs
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Yes, typically by this age, the kids seem to learn best fully independently. That said, one adult is welcome to observe if they desire or pop in from time to time throughout the class to snap a picture!
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Not at this time for this class. If interest in this class grows, I will offer the same buy 4, get 1 free package as the younger children’s classes have.
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They will come to a shared commercial kitchen. They may be other chefs cooking in other cooking bays.
They will get an apron and wash their hands then we jump into preparing the menu while learning useful skills. Some recipes they will be prepare solo and some they will team up with someone (of course they will split the results!).
I am there to help but I do gently encourage them to do as much for themselves as possible. I am pretty laid back, but do expect everyone to listen when I am giving instructions.
They get to try anything they make and take home the leftovers. I will email the recipes so they can prepare them again and again! -
Contact Chef Ashley FIRST, before you book.
Some restrictions can be accommodated for classes with advance notice, but the honest answer depends on the class, the menu, and what's being prepared around it in a shared kitchen.
Therefore, I'd rather talk it through with you up front to ensure it is workable before signing up!
Ready To Book?
Spots tend to fill quickly, so be sure to grab yours today!
Summer Camp Classes
Three or five days of real cooking instruction, ages 7 to 17. Screen-free summer afternoons your kid will actually ask to come back to.
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“My kiddo enjoys being in the kitchen at home but would often rather be playing video games. We weren't sure how he would feel about keeping his word about going to this camp since it would mean he would be missing out on gaming time. He absolutely LOVED this camp! He came home each day with an arm load of food & was ready to talk about the recipes and what he did that afternoon. I asked him if he would do the camp again & he said he would. High praise from a teenager. Also, they made pretzels one day and those are hands down the best pretzels I've ever eaten in my life. Even better than the ones at Disney World in Epcot. Better than Flat Branch's in CoMO. Better than Gunterhans in CoMO.”
-Tara Hunt
Camp runs 1 PM to 4 PM. Three hours of focused culinary instruction in a real commercial kitchen, with real tools, real food, and real skills your kid will use for the rest of their life. It's screen-free afternoon learning when school's out, the kind of thing that pays off long after summer ends and a lot longer than another hour of video games or youtube videos.
Kids also help clean up during camps and some have the most fun doing dishes!
2026 Summer Camp Options
Mini Baking Camp — Ages 12 to 17, 3-day camp (June 9-11) Cake Decorating Camp — Ages 11 to 17, 3-day camp (July 7-9)
Kids Cooking Camp — Ages 7 to 12, 5-day camp (July 13-17)
Teen Cooking Camp — Ages 12 to 17, 5-day camp (July 20-24)
Mini Bakers Camp — Ages 7 to 11, 3-day camp (July 28-30)
Mini Baking Camp
Dates: June 9 to 11, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM daily, 3 days
What you'll make: Baking basics such as cookies, muffins, pizza and more! Recipes rotate daily.
Price: $195 per kid ($65 per day)
Ages:12 to 17
Cake Decorating Camp
Dates: July 7 to 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM daily, 3 days
What you'll make: Bake a layered buttercream cake and decorate after some piping practice!
Price: $210 per kid ($70 per day)
Ages:11 to 17
Kids Cooking Camp
Dates: July 13 to 17, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM daily, 5 days
What you'll make: New recipes daily to cover culinary basics!
Price: $350 per kid ($70 per day)
Ages: 7 to 12
Teen Cooking Camp
Dates: July 20 to 24, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM daily, 5 days
What you'll make: New recipes daily to cover culinary basic and intermediate skills!
Price: $350 per kid ($70 per day)
Ages:12 to 17
Mini Bakers Camp
Dates: July 28 to 30, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM daily, 3 days
What you'll make: Simple baking basics such as chocolate chip cookies, recipes rotate daily!
Price: $195 per kid ($65 per day)
Ages: 7 to 12
Summer Camp FAQs
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Camp is 3 hours of focused cooking instruction per day, not a full-day program. That's by design.
Three hours is the right amount of focused kitchen time for kids that age, and it lets the program stay small (8-10 kids per session) so every kid actually cooks instead of watching. -
Enrollment opens in January and most camps sell out by April or early May.
The waitlist tends to fill up as well. Sign up as early as possible! -
Just themselves and some excitement to cook!
I will have Aprons, water, and all the food and equipment needed. They are welcome to bring their own apron if they want to! -
Camp menus are shared across 3 to 5 days with a group of 8 to 10 kids working together with shared equipment. Cross-contamination can not be ruled out. Gluten-free and dairy-free cannot be accommodated for camp.
Reach out to Chef Ashley about other dietary restrictions BEFORE signing up to ensure they can be accommodated.
Ready To Book?
Summer camp seating is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Book now to secure your seat!
Junior Chefs N’ Chaperones
Two uninterrupted hours cooking with one kid, one adult, one-on-one. One entree, one side, and one dessert. You cook. I do the dishes.
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““It was a fun time with my 13 year old. We enjoyed the step-by-step walk through and demonstration.”
-T.J. Ortbals
Adults That Attend This Class
Moms & Dads Aunts & Uncles
Bonus Parents Big Brothers & Big Sisters
Grandparents Adult Silblings
Four pairs in the room, one adult and one kid per pair. Each pair gets their own station. I demo each step, you cook together, then move to the next step. At the end, you eat what you made or take it home.
Kids walk out of this class with real culinary skills, not party tricks. Knife work, measuring, technique. And they'll remember they learned them with you.
January 17, 2026: Comfort Food Classics: Baked Chicken Bites, Baked Mac N Cheese, Apple Pie Cookies
April 25, 2026: Fiesta in the Kitchen: Chicken or Veggie Quesadillas, Elote, Churros
May 3, 2026: Creative Kitchen Challenge: Surprise Basket Challenge + Cupcake Decorating
August 2, 2026: Asian Kitchen Adventure: Chicken or Shrimp Fried Rice, Eggrolls, Strawberry Cheesecake Wontons
October 11, 2026: Pizza Party: Pizza (personal, pretzel, or calzone), Caesar Salad, Mini S'mores Cake
2026 Schedule
Junior Chefs N’ Chaperones FAQs
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Not in the same ticket, no. The one-on-one structure is the whole point of the class.
If you have two adults to attend, you can purchase two tickets and both can attend with an adult to pair up with. -
No. One ticket is $130 and it admits one adult and one kid together for the full two hours. You're cooking side by side, so you're not buying a separate seat to watch. One ticket, one pair.
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Contact Chef Ashley FIRST, before you book.
Some restrictions can be accommodated for classes with advance notice, but the honest answer depends on the class, the menu, and what's being prepared around it in a shared kitchen.
Therefore, I'd rather talk it through with you up front to ensure it is workable before signing up! -
In Junior Chefs N Chaperones, you and your kid learn and cook together, side by side, one-on-one, for two hours.
In Kids Culinary Cooking Club, your kid cooks on their own at their own station and you're not cooking alongside them.
Pick Junior Chefs if the time and learning together is the point. Pick Cooking Club if you want your kid building skills independently.
Ready To Book?
Seats are limited, so be sure to grab yours today!
Find the kitchen
Back 2 Basics Cooking
14 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, MO 65203
Located inside: Como Cooks
Note: There is no signage for Back 2 Basics Cooking. Look for the Como Cooks sign. We are next to Boost Moblie and across the street from Love Coffee.
