CLASS DESCRIPTIONS –

2/7 (Sat) 3-5pm – Youth Valentines Treats    (V)

In this fun hands-on class, participants will make, bake, and get to take home some tasty handmade Valentine treats to share with special friends or family.  On the menu: Secret Heart Cupcakes (strawberry-stuffed cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting); Mini-Raspberry Galettes with Cornmeal Crust; White Chocolate & Orange Shortbread Cookies; and Hearts & Kisses Cream Cheese Mints.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

2/9 (Mon) 4-6pm – Youth Valentines Chocolate    (V)

In this fun hands-on class, participants will learn to make and taste a variety of chocolaty Valentine treats.  They’ll also get to take some home to share with special friends or family.  On the menu: Handmade Chocolate Truffles; Chocolate-Dipped Chocolate Cookie Sticks; and Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

2/14 (Sat) 12:30-2:30pm – Youth Valentines Baking    (V)

Bake some delicious treats for your favorite valentines!  In this hands-on baking class participants will make the following scrumptious sweet treats while learning some fun pastry techniques and other baking tips—and they’ll get to take some home, too—to share with special friends and family.  On the menu: Linzer Heart Cookies (almond-free); Valentine Love Letter Chocolate-and-Jam Pastries made with Tart Dough; Sweet Bread Mini-Loaves with Strawberry-Orange Glaze.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

2/16 (Mon) 4-6pm – Youth Vegetarian Chinese New Year    (V)

Come celebrate the Year of the Horse with delicious traditional lucky foods for the new year in this fun hands-on cooking class.  All of these foods have symbolic meanings for a fortune-filled new year!  On the menu: Fresh Cabbage, Carrot & Rice Noodle Spring Rolls with Sweet Pepper Dipping Sauce; Baked Sesame Sweet Potato & Buttered Leek Buns; Longevity Noodles with Bok Choi, Scallions & Garlic; and Chinese Butter Cookies.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

2/28 (Sat) 3-5pm – Youth Bread Basket    (V)

If your child loves baking and especially bread-making, this class is for them!  Participants will practice basic bread-baking techniques–measuring, stirring, kneading, proofing and working with yeast.  Then they will prepare a variety of tasty breads of different types to enjoy in class, and they’ll get to take some home with them, too.  On the menu: Wisconsin Cheddar & Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls; Cowboy Butter-Swim Biscuits; Honeyed-Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins; and tasty Popcorn Bread with Salted Buttered Crust.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

3/2 (Mon) 4-6pm – Youth Dim Sum    (V)

Continue your Chinese New Year celebrations by learning to prepare (and enjoying) classic holiday-inspired Dim Sum dishes. Class participants will enjoy learning to make delicious small, savory dishes that are sure to bring good luck for the Year of the Horse. On the menu: Fried Tofu & Vegetable Wontons with Sweet Red Pepper Dipping Sauce; Vegetable Stir Fry with Broccoli & Red Peppers; Youtiao (Chinese fry-bread); and Deep-Fried Milk with Sweetened Milk Sauce.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

3/7 (Sat) 12:30-2:30pm – Youth Vegetarian Indian    (V)

Learn to cook some savory, sweet, spicy (but not too!), delicious South Asian vegetarian favorites to enjoy now and impress your friends with later!  Youth do all the cooking in this fun, hands-on class – practicing culinary skills while making these wonderful vegetarian Indian dishes:  Spinach Thepla (fried multigrain flatbreads with spinach & spices); Cool Lemon Yogurt Sauce; Butter Tofu with Tomatoes & Chickpeas; Fresh-Baked Naan; Masala Chai Cookies (melt-in-the-mouth tea & spice flavored cookies).  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

3/14 (Sat) 1-3pm – Youth Vegetarian Sushi    (V)

In this hands-on cooking class participants will learn to make several types of tasty vegetarian sushi, featuring not only traditional Japanese flavors, but also fun innovative flavors.  Class will start with the basics of preparing Shari rice, which is essential for any type of sushi (as “sushi” actually refers to the rice).  Youth will then learn how to make sushi rolls with traditional sushi mats, and will make several different sushi rolls.  On the menu:  Miso Soup; Shari Rice; Avocado, Cucumber & Red Pepper California Rolls; Spicy Tomato Rolls; Caramelized Sweet Potato & Baby Arugula Roll; Roasted Pepper & Kewpie Mayonnaise Roll; and delicious Green Tea Cookies for dessert.  Location: St. Mark’s.  Class Cost: $60.

To Register, Email Hemmachef@gmail.com.

Please email to register or if you have any questions: Hemmachef@gmail.com

NOTE: Class dates/times and menus may be subject to change. Registered participants will be notified ahead of time if any changes do occur.

For private lessons or other questions, please email: Hemmachef@gmail.com

GENERAL

Youth classes are appropriate for youth of all ages: children, tweens and teens. Chef Joel may offer some classes specifically for Teens or Tweens/Teens. Teen classes are appropriate for youth ages 13-17 years old Tween/Teen classes for youth ages 11-16. Some mature older teens may be welcome in Hemmachef adult classes, as well. If you have any questions about whether classes are appropriate for you/your child, please contact Chef Joel at hemmachef@gmail.com.

Chef Joel keeps class sizes small and has students work together in small groups. He generally groups youth by ability level and makes sure that everyone is challenged and kept busy in class. All of our classes are hands-on and involve lots of cooking. Kids/Tweens/Teens do the cooking!

NOTE TO VEGETARIANS: Classes have been designated according to their appropriateness for vegetarians:

• the class is vegetarian (V)
• meat is optional; can easily be left out of menu item(s) (VO)
• a vegetarian option can be substituted for the meat in recipe(s) (VS)

Email Hemmachef@gmail to register for classes.

SUMMER CAMPS

Chef Joel will be offering more awesome culinary summer camps for youth (with all-new menus) this summer (2026).  Camp dates are now set!  You can find more Information HERE.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Gift Certificates for cooking classes make great gifts!

Give the gift of a great experience for holidays, birthdays, graduations, or any occasion.

PRIVATE CLASSES / EVENTS:

Chef Joel enjoys working with teens and young adults and would be happy to offer more classes for older youth. If you would like to arrange a class or private event for a group of teens, please contact Chef Joel: hemmachef@gmail.com.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLASSES –

Email Hemmachef@gmail to register.

Chef Joel encourages teens to develop their love of food and fellowship by taking cooking classes. Youth of all levels of ability, interest, and experience from 8-16 years old are welcome in Chef Joel’s “Kids” cooking classes. If you have any questions about whether classes are appropriate for your son or daughter, please contact Chef Joel.

Chef Joel has considerable experience working with individuals with special needs, including physical and developmental disabilities. He feels strongly that all individuals can successfully participate in culinary classes and works hard with all students to ensure that they fully participate in each class. If your teen has special needs, please let us know ahead of time so that Chef Joel can make sure to accommodate them.

Class sizes are limited.

Email now to reserve a spot: hemmachef@gmail.com

SPECIAL CULINARY EVENTS FOR TEENS –

For information on special culinary events for teens, such as birthday parties, graduation events, and more, please email Chef Joel at Hemmachef@gmail.com.

LOCATION –

Teen cooking classes are generally held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 605 Spruce St., Madison, 53715.

Class are held in the kitchen, which is in the basement. Please enter the building from the north side entrance (from Spruce Street), by the playground. There will be a sign on the door for the cooking classes.

PARKING –

There should plenty of street parking available. There is also a small parking lot behind the building, accessible from Hickory Street.

DRESS CODE –

• Long Hair should be pulled back or put in a ponytail.
• Participants must wear close-toed shoes.
• Participants are encouraged to wear a facial mask for food safety and disease prevention.
• Short-sleeved shirts are recommended.
• Hemmachef will provide aprons and towels to use during the class.

EQUIPMENT –

All equipment, foods, and materials necessary to complete the recipes are provided by Chef Joel.

CONSIDERATIONS –

Please inform Chef Joel of any of the following:

• Food allergies or restrictions, such as celiac disease, lactose-intolerance, etc.
• Special Physical Needs
• Special Educational Needs

CLASS PHILOSOPHY –

Participants are expected to behave with civility and respect for the Chef, the other participants, the equipment, and the food.

PARENTS IN CLASS –

Parents and/or guardians are not encouraged to stay during teen cooking classes. Please contact Chef Joel if you are a parent who feels your teen has special needs.

PHOTOGRAPHS –

Chef Joel or other Hemmachef representatives may take photographs during class for use in marketing and promotional materials. No names or other personal information will be included in these photographs.

CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY –

Please inform Chef Joel as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend. Your full class payment will be refunded up to 5 business days prior to the date of the class. If you cancel after this time you will not receive a refund. You may have someone attend in your/your child’s place, however.

If Chef Joel must cancel for any reason, every effort will be made to reschedule the class, and if you cannot attend at the new time, you will receive a full refund.

INCLEMENT WEATHER –

Class will conducted unless City of Madison buses are not running due to inclement weather.