Fun Freetime: Freshmade (NYC)

I had a chance to interview the creator of Freshmade, a new cooking school for kids. Interactive cooking classes happen before, during or after school, to educate children about living a healthy lifestyle, including healthy foods, healthy bodies, and healthy minds. Classes are about ten students, to foster a small learning environment, and cooking is a natural way for kids to learn about math, science, and literacy.

Located at Bleeker and Broadway, the Freshmade space was inspired by a rustic, farm style kitchen with warm and inviting features, including two full kitchens with identical workspaces and a children’s library featuring kids’ cookbooks and storybooks about healthy eating, the environment, exercising and gardening. The ingredients used are only fresh and organic -  no fried foods or preservatives. There are helpful classes for parents too: Ginger Bread House Making and Fall Harvest and workshops such as Label Reading 101, Navigating the Grocery Store with a Toddler and What to Eat When Your Expecting.

What was the inspiration behind launching Freshmade?

Freshmade NYC had been a dream of Cara’s since the birth of her daughter, Lilah.  What began as an idea to offer fresh and healthy meals cateres to new mom’s like herself, quickly grew to preparing and introducing healthy foods to her growing daughter. As a new mother, Cara was surprised by what types of foods were being offered to kids at birthday parties and events. She set out on a mission to offer healthier options to the parents and children of NYC.

What types of classes are being offered? What are the benefits of having kids in these classes?

At Freshmade NYC we offer classes for children ranging from toddlers to young teens. Our cooking classes are designed to be fun, creative, educational, and always healthy. Our students will learn hands on skills that strengthen their fine motor development and participate in activities that encourage math, science, and literacy skills. We also offer specialty classes such as Ginger Bread House Making and Fall Harvest and workshops such as Label Reading 101, Navigating the Grocery Store with a Toddler and What to Eat When Your Expecting.

For people not in the NYC area, do you have any suggestions to get their kids involved in healthy cooking?

Despite your fear of a huge mess in the kitchen, getting your kids involved in food preparation will not only offer a higher level of learning, but it allows for creating unforgettable memories. Incorporating children in a kitchen that involves healthy cooking gives inspiration for new traditions to be made and passed down from generation to generation.