Young Chefs Academy

Recently while cruising through www.twitter.com I bumped into YoungChef. After some investigation, I came to find out that “YoungChef” is Chef Debbie, a.k.a. YoungChef, the operator of one of the franchises of YCA or Young Chefs Academy.  Located in Orlando, Florida, you can find Chef Debbie’s location at www.YoungChefsAcademy.com/HuntersCreekDrPhillips.

After exchanging an odd message or two and a couple of emails, I became familiar with the concept of YCA.  I also became acquainted with Chef Debbie and I had the chance to ask her a number of questions, which I supposed would be of interest to you. You will find the Q&A towards the end of this article.

An Introduction to Young Chefs Academy

Young Chefs Academy or YCA is America’s first culinary school for children aged 3 to 16.  The environment that the academy offers provides children with a great opportunity to develop love for food and cooking.  The school also offers the chance for children to build their self confidence and social skills.

The academy was established in April of 2003 by Julie Fabing Burleson and Suzy Vinson Nettles.  In truth, it is fairly new, but it has established itself as one of the most innovative cooking schools in the country. The program has been brought from one location to another and it is now the fastest growing concept for children’s education with over 155 franchises spread all over the country and Canada.

The YCA Program

The program that was developed by YCA is meant to develop in children lifelong skills in cooking.  Their classrooms are children-friendly but they offer a realistic setting so that the kids will feel comfortable using their skills in their own homes.  The cooking classes that are offered by YCA are all geared toward developing creativity, discovery and learning.  The main ingredient of their courses is food preparation; however, children also learn kitchen safety, table setting, menu planning and proper etiquette.

Are the children doing real cooking?  Yes, definitely!  Children will learn how to create various dishes.  They will learn the basics of cooking techniques and they will have the opportunity to enjoy whatever they cook.  If you’re lucky, your child will learn to love vegetables!

The classes usually last an hour and a half.  The schedule varies from one franchise to another.  There are regular classes but the school also customizes classes for special groups like preschoolers and homeschoolers.

The programs at Young Chefs Academy are constantly evolving with fresh themes monthly.  The classes are incorporated with supplemental subjects in furtherance of the month’s theme.  You will usually find chefs or nutritional experts teaching these classes.  The teachers encourage interactive lessons in order to promote fun in learning.  The Academy also offers special events like field trips, scout groups, Open Houses and seasonal workshops.  Needless to say, your children will truly have fun.

Getting a Franchise

If you are committed to learning and quality service and if you love cooking, you might want to get a YCA franchise.  Young Chefs Academy offers you the chance to have your own business.  They offer excellent tools, business support, training, curriculum, partnerships and programs; however, the success of your franchise depends on you.  You should visit their website if you have any questions about the franchise opportunities www.youngchefsacademy.com.

Question Time

chef 21 – What inspired you to create YCA?

Chef Debbie – My husband, Lou, and I were looking at owning our own business for a long time.  We like the idea of franchising because of the models and support provided.  We love to cook and eat and we both love kids, so YCA was a perfect fit.

chef 21 – How do children initially react when they first start out and how they respond later on after several classes?

Chef Debbie – Many of the children are very shy when they first come to class.  Our kitchens are real kitchens, so I think that sometimes the children are overwhelmed.  After several classes, they are super comfortable, know their way around the kitchens and are more and more confident as they move forward – both in the kitchen as well as overall.

They are so proud of the work they do – all of the work is done by the children – 99% hands-on in recipe preparation.  Many of the children that come to us are picky eaters, but most are now willing to try new foods, including vegetables.  We think of it as positive peer pressure!

We had a 4 year old student that cried before his first 4-5 classes.  He is now a confident, outgoing 4 year old who tries all foods (he never tried anything before taking classes).  He even entered a cooking contest at a local fair and won first prize!

chef 21 – What kind of reactions do you get from parents?

Chef Debbie – Parents are pleasantly surprised.  They see the confidence their children gain and the skills they learn at our academy.  They are also pleased that their kids are trying new foods.  One boy recently came to us and did a tour of the kitchens with a chef.  His mom called and told us that since he visited (he did not take a class, just visited), he was trying all kinds of new foods!  He is now attending classes.

Here is what another mom had to say:

I just have to say thank you for whatever you’ve done to my daughter.  She’s 11 years old and absolutely despises vegetables. Last week at her class, she ate an Empanada which has some vegetables and said “It was okay”.  Last night we went to a Japanese restaurant. She ate a mushroom and a scallion out of her soup.  That was nothing short of a miracle.

I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I am to you for re-introducing veggies to my daughter.  I don’t look like the bad guy anymore.  I don’t know what you do or how you do it, but keep up the good work!!

chef 21 – What benefits do children get from taking classes at YCA?

Chef Debbie – Children develop confidence and learn the value of teamwork.  They get to taste and explore new foods and build new friendships.  The programs at YCA reinforce mathematics, science, reading, history and social studies skills.  The children are able to work in a positive atmosphere where they get to learn responsibility while having fun.  Because we are a cooking school, children get to learn a life skill that we all, admittedly, need.  This also gives families the opportunity to go back to their own kitchen and share with their children the wonders of cooking.

So, here is to the YCA for a bright future.

Chef Matthew J.G

About the Author

Matthew Goudge - Visit Website
Australian Chef- Matthew Goudge is the mastermind behind the formation of the chef21blog platform. Since the initial humble beginnings Chef Matthew has been dedicated to creating this very network. Chef Matthew has been in the culinary field for a mere 21 years. He has worked in numerous locations including; Australia, Austria, England, Malaysia, China and St Lucia. Matthew’s first steps in the field of article writing began at the tender age of nineteen; whereby he contributed a weekly story for a local newspaper in coastal New South Wales, Australia.

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