A Sneak Peek Into Gymtime’s New Kitchen Little Cooking Classes

Kitchen Little, the cooking school in the spacious UES Gymtime Rhythm and Glues facility, has just been renovated this past summer. When we arrived for a taste of its new classes one afternoon, a cheery cluster of pink balloons lured my two-year-old daughter right in.  Her four-year-old brother, on the other hand, was excited at the prospect of baking in the very modern-looking kitchen.

Alas, Brandon was instructed to go with the other 3-6 year-old’s to the activity room, while Julia and her fellow two-year-old’s were invited directly into the kitchen for a sample cooking lesson.  Not that my son was all that disappointed to wait in the end. He got to decorate a cupcake–cleverly placed on an art palette with a popsicle stick for  “painting” the frosting on–enjoy a scoop of pudding with some toppings of his choice, and fill a decorative jar with dried fruit.

Clutching the goodies he’d created, Brandon bounded across the hall to the kitchen, waiting to see what delicious treats his sister had been making.  But when the doors finally opened, out came Julia with a container of…SALAD!  I wish I could describe her proud expression, but even better was the the look of consternation on Brandon’s face.

Not to worry–he soon found that he’ll also be making cookies, like Julia did. (All children cook the same things at Kitchen Little, though the two-year-olds are accompanied by their caregivers along and get a little more help from the instructors.) I filed into the spotless kitchen with Brandon’s group, appreciating the shiny new stainless steel appliances and gleaming white shelves, dotted with containers upon containers of ingredients. The focus naturally fell on two kid-sized tables, where plenty of adult-sized stools were available for accompanying caregivers to observe or help.

At Kitchen Little, there’s always a secret (healthy) ingredient of the day–the program really focuses on healthy and colorful ingredients, forgoing gluten whenever possible and completely staying away from sugar. But seriously, what’s a cookie without something sweet?  So the kids got to add raisins and a few chocolate chips.

After the cookies were whisked away to the oven, it was time to make salads. Starting with a quinoa base, the little chefs added beans, carrots, corn, and cilantro for color and flavor, and a pinch of salt to top it off.  Each kid chose how much of the individual ingredients to put in before closing the cover and shaking it up with a little song and dance.  On the way out, parents and caregivers received a customary printout with a menu, tips and fun facts about that week’s secret ingredient so it would be less of a secret.

Classes run for 16 weeks, alongside individual workshops for ages 2 to tween. But watching the kids enjoy themselves is not all the program offers to parents. There are also Moms in the Kitchen Classes (Dads are welcome too!), with themes like After-School Snacks and Beyond Brown Rice.  But judging by  the single raisin and very little bit of cookie my son shared with me, I’m thinking Dessert Re-Do might be the way to go.

To learn more about Kitchen Little’s classes, visit gymtime.net or call 212.861.7732


Elisabeth Frankel Reed blogs regularly at www.newyorkfamily.com. She was born and raised in New York and loves exploring the city with her husband and two children, Brandon and Julia.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

The Little Gym of Bay Ridge- Bensonhurst

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">At The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurt, we specialize in unique, educational classes that revolve around active play. We give children a safe and inspiring space to direct their energy, build confidence, and develop key skills. Explore the range of classes we offer at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst to find the one that’s just right for your child. </span></p>

Chickenshed NYC

<p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed’s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.</p>

Plugged in Band

<div>Plugged In is a nonprofit program that offers online programs to student musicians (Ages 10-18) in a non-competitive environment and provides band and individual performance opportunities in support of community and charitable causes.</div> <div> </div> <div>Our programs include:</div> <div> </div> <div>Rock Band Classes</div> <div>Private Music Lessons</div> <div>Summer Camp</div> <div>Digital/Audio Production</div> <div>Songwriting and Recording Workshops</div> <div> </div> <div>Oh and hey parents, we are now offering private music lessons and our rock band program for adults too. Reach out to us for more information. </div>