Chefs in the Classroom
Edible Education in the OkanaganEducating children in our community about how to grow, cook and eat local foods!
What’s happening in 2023?
Our team of chefs, nutritionists and gardeners are heading back into the classroom for Spring 2023 where teachers and students can continue to learn the benefits of growing, eating and cooking local.
About Us
Modelled after other successful edible education classes all over North America, Chefs in the Classroom – edible education is unique in that it is an Okanagan inspired, hands-on curriculum with links to our Indigenous community and practices. The highlight of the 6-lesson course is a field trip to a working farm with lunch hosted by our chefs and volunteer teams.
The Okanagan Chefs Association launched a new initiative entitled ‘Chefs in the Classroom – edible education’ in Spring 2016.
What We Do
Our Goals
- To introduce children to farming and gardening best-practices in our community.
- To successfully continue to operate an Okanagan-based edible education project.
- Engage and inspire children through
hands on and interactive real-life experiences.
Lesson 1
Let the fun begin!
Lesson 2
Vegetables! Students will learn about tasty vegetable options and why it is important to eat foods that are grown locally, rather than shipping them.
Lesson 3
Thinning, Transplanting, Composting and Cooking! Students learn more about garden care and we use some of our tomatoes to make a yummy sauce.
Lesson 4
Vegetables and Cooking – Students learn the differences between raw and cooked vegetables. We’ll also see how the gardens are growing.
Lesson 5
Herbs and Flavour Combinations – We explore the world of herbs and learn how a combination of herbs with fruit or vegetables can enhance the
Lesson 6
Farm Field Trip and Graduation Day! Our last lesson will include a field trip to a local farm, a farm tour, lunch, and graduation certificate.
Lesson 7
Farm Field and Graduation!
Our last lesson will include a farm field trip to a local farm, a farm tour, lunch, and graduation ceremony.
Our Sponsors
Chefs in the Classroom – edible education would not be possible without the generous support of the following organizations.
Kiwanis
Mission Hill
Les Dames
Okanagan Chef's Association
Harmony Honda
FCC
Sysco
Kelsey Fairbank
Fraiche Living
Central Okanagan Foundation
Central Okanagan Public Schools
Capri CMW
Growing together
I don’t know what sort of sorcery you are using in my sons class but he just asked for raw ASPARAGUS and Lettuce tonight! He said he tried them with you in his class and he likes them!…
He’s also been showing alot less fear in general around trying new food since you started in his class, and comes home excited to tell me all about what he did every week.
I seriously couldn’t be more grateful and just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work you do. Clearly your program and the Chefs you have working with the kids are incredible.
Register for Updates
Each year, we have dozens of classrooms apply to be part of the Chefs in the Classroom program, but we only have so many volunteers and resources to go around. Please sign up for our newsletter below to receive program updates and information on how to get involved.