Almaden Valley - Los Gatos - "Mood & Munchies" Cooking Classes for Kids: 1440 Young Chef Academy
"Mood & Munchies" Cooking Classes for Kids: 1440 Young Chef Academy
Details:
A two-class program for kids that highlights the benefits of food as medicine through smart snacks, brain foods and how food affects focus. For more information about 1440 Multiversity and the Nourishing Generations Young Chef Academy, please visit the 1440 Multiversity Website: www.1440.org/nourishing-generations-young-chef-academy-2026 Scholarships are available! Please CLICK HERE to apply. Inspire your child to cook, move, and eat well this summer in the 1440 Nourishing Generations Young Chef Academy , a hands-on cooking school for kids ages 7-13 held in the 1440 Teaching Kitchen and Joanie’s Garden. Led by Chef Ryan Fillhardt, 1440 Culinary Arts Education faculty, in collaboration with local nonprofit Nourishing Generations teachers, this learning program in July blends nutrition education, farm‑to‑fork cooking, embodied movement, and shared lunches – helping children build lifelong skills around healthy food, joyful movement, and whole‑person well‑being. This unique partnership with Nourishing Generations will generate proceeds to support the organization's mission to improve children’s health through food, education, and community. About This Experience Students will participate in two half-day classes in the 1440 Teaching Kitchen. This particular learning session focuses on: - July 21 & 23: Mood + Munchies Learning Track - Class 1 (7/21): Smart Snack Studio . Kids learn to prepare healthy snacks and understand why many processed snacks fall short, and will learn to make a variety of dips, salsa and guacamole recipes. - Class 2 (7/23): Brain Food Bonanza . Explores how food affects the brain, sleep, and focus, and why it's important to eat for a healthy brain. Students will learn the fun process of making falafel and balloon bread. Chef Academy Details Youth ages 7-13 are invited to participate in this two-class summer learning curriculum. The price is $120 per child and includes: -Two (2) total half-day classes (held on Tuesday and Thursday within the designated week) held at 1440 Multiversity -A nutritious lunch each day provided by 1440 Multiversity -A 1440 faculty-led signature class (i.e. nature walk, art, movement, or meditation) Register your child for one of the following cohort options that best serves your family summer schedule:
ages 7 13,cooking classes kids,food,food as medicine,hands on cooking,nutrition education,scotts valley, california,seasonal,"mood & munchies" cooking classes for kids: 1440 young chef academy
- “Bloom Brigade” (AM Cohort): Will be held on Tuesday & Thursday mornings, 9am-1pm
- “Rainbow Roots” (PM Cohort): Will be held on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons, 12-4pm
Needs-based scholarships are available; please click here to apply.
If you’re interested in individual workshops, or have other students interested in volunteering for high school credit, please email inquiries@1440.org.
There are two additional learning pathways offered as well; please see our other Eventbrite listings to register:
- July 14 & 16: "Fuel Your Superpowers" Learning Track (CLICK HERE for more information and to register)
- Class 1 (7/14): The Breakfast Club . Emphasizes why breakfast matters, how to build a healthy morning meal, and the role of protein, fiber, and sugar awareness. Students will learn to make smoothies and granola, while understanding how to read nutrition labels.
- Class 2 (7/16): The Superfoods Lab . Kids learn about nutrient-dense foods and how they support a Food as Medicine philosophy. After spending time in the garden, students will prepare and make a nutritious soup while exploring a variety of beans and what makes them a superfood.
- July 28 & 30: Harvest Heroes + Sugar Detectives (CLICK HERE for more information and to register)
- Class 1 (7/28): Farm to Fork Fun . Kids will discover the importance of our local seasonal foods and why they matter for a healthy diet. Students will learn to make delicious pastas and sauces that they can recreate at home.
- Class 2 (7/30): Be Sweet Smart . Teaches kids why limiting added sugar supports health and how to choose better-tasting alternatives. Students will make their own sun tea, along with nutrient-dense chocolate zucchini mini muffins that are both healthy and tasty.
Important Booking Instructions
-Please pay special attention to which cohort day/time you select for your child(ren) to ensure that you make the correct selection that best fits your family schedule.
-Registration may be refunded up to 21 days before the first day of the culinary academy. We are unfortunately not able to process refunds within 21 days to ensure a quality experience for all other attendees. Any non-refundable amounts will be used as a needs-based scholarship for another child to attend.
-Should you have any questions about this learning experience for children, please contact the 1440 Reservations team at inquiries@1440.org.
About the 1440 Teaching Kitchen & Joanie's Garden
The 1440 Teaching Kitchen , set in the heart of the nonprofit 1440 Multiversity campus in Scotts Valley, Calif., is an open‑air, hands‑on learning space designed for curiosity, connection, and growth. Anchored by a full demonstration kitchen and the adjacent culinary garden, Joanie’s Garden , this vibrant hub is stewarded by the 1440 Culinary Team to explore what it means to Live, Lead, Love, Work, and Wonder Well through food. The Teaching Kitchen hosts adult and youth culinary workshops, Food as Medicine lectures, private educational dinners, and immersive overnight programming, with ingredients grown in Joanie’s Garden woven throughout campus dining — including Kitchen Table , the centerpiece of the 1440 culinary experience.
