Summer Culinary 2026
Cooking and Culinary Summer Camp
Sleepaway and Day
For Ages 12–17
Pro Chefs. Pro Kitchens.
4 Cities Across the US
Ages 12–17 Welcome
Sleepaway & Day Programs
Welcome to Summer Culinary 2026
See Our Cooking Camp Locations Below
New York City, NY
Sleepaway or Day • Ages 12–17
View Culinary Program →
Seattle, WA
Sleepaway or Day • Ages 12–17
View Culinary Program →
Washington, DC
Sleepaway or Day • Ages 12–17
View Culinary Program →
San Francisco, CA
Sleepaway or Day • Ages 12–17
View Culinary Program →"Our student chefs love food and want to build their skills… and they want to explore one of our world-class host cities in the evenings with our curated tours and skilled staff."
Students make, create and enjoy their own lunches and dinners.
Pro chefs. Pro kitchens. That's us!
This program is open to all students between the ages 12–17. No cooking experience is needed — just a love of food and a desire to learn. Our instructors meet every camper exactly where they are.
Immersive Culinary Summer Programs for Teens & High School Students
Our immersive culinary summer camps for high school students and junior high teens bridge the gap between casual home cooking and professional culinary arts. Designed specifically for passionate young foodies ages 12–17, this summer culinary school experience goes far beyond basic recipes. Under the guidance of professional chefs, student chefs master advanced knife skills, classic line cooking, pastry arts, and flavor theory in elite commercial kitchens.
Why Families Choose Our Cooking Camps for Teens
Professional Classes for Teens
Every day is packed with hands-on culinary classes for teens where students make, create, and enjoy their own gourmet lunches and dinners. No prior kitchen experience is required — our chef instructors meet every camper exactly where they are.
Elite Pro Kitchens
We don't cook in dorm kichenettes. Our summer culinary camp locations utilize world-class, commercial culinary facilities, giving students authentic exposure to real industry equipment and workflows.
Sleepaway & Day Formats
Whether you are looking for an intensive day camp or a full culinary sleepaway program, we offer flexible options across our four major US host cities, complete with curated evening tours and full supervision.
What Our Families Say
Stories from the Kitchen
"Summer Culinary chefs helped give my son the skills and confidence in the kitchen that hasn't stopped since camp. It has been so much fun to see a 12 year old with zero skills turn into a little chef making his parents dinner and dessert."
— 2025 Parent, campusATX
"My son is extremely introverted and was terrified going into this but it has been a life-changing camp — it's given him confidence that he can be his own person, do scary things, step up to the challenge and even enjoy it."
— 2025 Parent, campusSF
"My kid truly enjoyed the classes. This is the 3rd year in a row. And he's asking to go back."
— 2025 Parent, campusNYC
Enroll Today
Summer Culinary 2026: America's Top Cooking Summer Camp
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend your culinary summer camp and cooking camps for teens?
Our culinary summer camp and cooking camps for teens are exclusively engineered for junior high and high school students between the ages of 12 and 17. Because we dive into authentic kitchen safety, tool handling, and complex recipes, the environment is tailored specifically to match the maturity and focus of teenagers. It is the perfect summer experience for passionate young foodies, aspiring bakers, and high schoolers looking to build real lifelong independence.
Can beginners enroll in these culinary camps for teens?
Yes, absolutely. Our culinary camps for teens welcome all skill levels — from absolute beginners who have never handled a chef's knife to advanced young chefs who cook for their families every night. On the first day of our summer culinary programs, our chef instructors meet every camper exactly where they are to build baseline confidence, ensuring everyone learns, creates, and grows at their own pace.
What do students learn during these summer culinary programs for high school students?
Our summer culinary programs for high school students operate like an immersive, hands-on introduction to professional culinary arts. Students dive deep into advanced knife skills, classic line cooking techniques, flavor profiling, international cuisine, and plating aesthetics. The curriculum also features specialized modules in pastry arts and baking chemistry. Every single day, students make, create, and enjoy their own gourmet meals.
What makes your curriculum different from standard culinary classes for teens?
Unlike basic, recreational culinary classes for teens, our comprehensive summer culinary school experience mimics an elite commercial training environment. Rather than just following simple home recipes, student chefs are taught directly by professional chefs and industry educators. Students learn commercial kitchen choreography, ingredient sourcing, and professional-grade culinary workflows that set them up for absolute success.
Where are your summer culinary camp locations across the US?
Our core curriculum and professional chef instruction are identical across all of our cooking camp locations. The only difference is the incredible city backdrop you choose. We operate out of top-tier professional commercial kitchens in four iconic food capitals: New York City, NY — the ultimate playground for young foodies; Seattle, WA — a booming culinary hub surrounded by stunning Pacific Northwest scenery; Washington, DC — a high-energy, truly international city perfect for exploring global flavors; and San Francisco, CA — renowned worldwide for its historic food culture and culinary innovation.
Do you offer both day and sleepaway summer culinary school options?
Yes. To accommodate families nationwide, our summer culinary programs are offered in two distinct formats. Day Camp formats are ideal for local commuting students looking for intensive daily cooking instruction. Sleepaway (Residential) formats offer a fully immersive cooking summer camp experience — traveling students live in secured, fully supervised university housing, enjoying curated evening tours and group city excursions with peers who share their culinary passion.
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