Washington DC Cooking Summer Camp
Choose the world’s leading cooking summer camp and learn from professional chefs in professional kitchens! We welcome all skill levels and empower students to create fantastic dishes using fresh, scratch ingredients.
Our cooking camp offers so much more than just culinary skills! We’ve designed a unique experience that fosters essential life skills like independence, leadership, confidence, creativity, teamwork, self-care, empowerment, advocacy, and a forward-thinking mindset, making it a truly enriching cooking camp.
Learn more about our day culinary camp below, and find out more about professional kitchens, our 100+ recipes, daily schedule, and more.


campusDC Program Details
2026 dates:
SESSION 1: July 20th – 24th
SESSION 2: July 27th – 31st
Monday-Friday 10am – 6pm
Ages
12-17 years old
Type
Day Only
Location
1625 Eckington Pl NE Ste 100, Washington, DC 20002

PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS AT
Union Kitchen
Our cooking summer camp commercial pro kitchen:
The Summer Culinary family of programs centers on the kitchen, offering professional-level summer cooking camps led by experienced chefs in a professional-grade kitchen setting.
We make all of our recipes from scratch; we have professional commercial kitchens to work in, and our staff is the best. campusDC is located at Union Kitchen – Eckington. It is such a cool space!
During our search for the best kitchens in the country we stumbled upon this incredible find. This facility boasts shared commissary kitchens, walk-in refrigeration, collaborative offices, ample storage, and an expansive event space where food and education can come together and create once in a lifetime experiences. Our kitchen facility features state of the art variable speed hoods, energy efficient lighting, and an emphasis on recycling and reducing waste. We pride ourselves on being innovative and committed to creating community, and bringing food to the people. This is going to be a really excellent summer, and we can’t wait to get cooking.
It is a true professional kitchen, and it is a fabulous taste of college life! Pro kitchens, Pro Chefs.








DAILY SCHEDULE
Here is what an average day at campusDC looks like:
9:45am – 10am: Students arrive get checked in, and get ready.
10am – 6pm: Students are in the kitchen, they make their own lunch and dinner. Chef instructors work on skill building, confidence, safety and deliciousness!
5pm – 6pm: All food is plated and readied for demo. Everyone takes pictures of their plated food. Chefs inspect, taste, discuss and encourage students. Then everyone eats and packs up.
6pm: Students head home, and we’ll do it all over again tomorrow!
Cooking Camps: Student Testimonials
“You come to Summer Culinary to cook, but when you leave it’s like leaving a family”
– 2022 Student
“I had so much fun at Summer Culinary! It was amazing to connect with other students over our shared love for cooking, and the amazing chefs and counselors!! The cooking was so much fun and I learned so much! Truly a unique and incredible experience! Best camp ever!!”
– 2018 Student
“An experience of a lifetime, to work with real chefs in a professional kitchen. We will definitely sign our son up for this program again next year.”
– 2022 Parent
“I made many friends that I will continue to talk to throughout my life. Every day when I got in the kitchen, I felt like I improved every time.”
– Max, age 14, Newport News, VA



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Learn more About our Cooking Camp in DC
Step into the heart of the nation’s capital and discover Summer Culinary’s dynamic DC campus, the ultimate culinary camp for aspiring young chefs. Nestled amidst the vibrant energy of Washington, D.C., our summer culinary programs offer a unique opportunity to explore the art and science of cooking. At this premier culinary camp, teens will dive into hands-on experiences, learn from expert instructors, and ignite their passion for food in an inspiring and engaging environment. Get ready for an unforgettable summer of culinary exploration and skill development in the heart of DC!
At our cooking camp for teens, students will embark on a delicious journey to master essential kitchen skills. Aspiring young chefs will learn fundamental techniques such as knife skills, proper measuring, and various cooking methods like sautéing, baking, and grilling. Our experienced instructors provide hands-on guidance in preparing a diverse range of dishes, from appetizers to desserts, fostering a strong foundation in culinary arts. This cooking camp for teens equips students with practical abilities and builds confidence in the kitchen, empowering them to create delicious meals and explore their culinary creativity.
Beyond the culinary arts, our cooking summer camp offers a rich environment for developing crucial life skills. Through collaborative cooking projects and team-based challenges, students enhance their communication and teamwork abilities. Navigating the kitchen and managing their time while preparing dishes fosters independence and organizational skills. Presenting their creations and receiving feedback builds confidence and encourages self-expression. This cooking summer camp is designed to cultivate not just culinary talent, but also valuable personal and interpersonal skills that extend far beyond the kitchen, preparing students for success in various aspects of their lives.
Check out our other Summer Culinary Camp Locations
San Francisco Culinary Camp – Our San Francisco cooking camp offers an unforgettable experience with hands-on training from top chefs and exciting explorations of the city’s diverse culinary landscape.
New York Culinary Camp – Experience the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. Learn how you can become a Michelin star level chef this summer in New York.
Seattle Culinary Camp – Soak up everything Seattle has to offer this summer, while you learn how to take your cooking skills to the next level.
https://summerculinary.com/campusla-pasadena/Los Angeles Culinary Camp – Get first hand experience in one of the best cities in the United States…Los Angeles! Learn to cook like a pro!
