Cooking Classes & More
Charlotte Kitchen Academy
Hands-On Cooking Classes Led by Experts
At JWU Charlotte’s Kitchen Academy, our hands-on cooking classes are led by expert chefs who turn every session into a fun, interactive experience.
For adults, JWU Charlotte offers a few options:
- Recreational cooking classes designed to build specific skills or teach you to cook a classic or global dish
- Custom classes for groups
- Wine and beverage classes with 3 levels of study
We also offer summer camps for kids and teens.
Most classes are designed for a range of experience levels. Each course is labelled with an expertise range to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Recreational Cooking Classes
Cost: $140-200 | Duration: 3-4 hours
Whether you’re a passionate home cook or simply looking to expand your culinary skills, JWU’s recreational cooking classes will help you reach your culinary goals.
Classes combine hands-on experience with demonstrations under the direction of our professional chef-instructors. In just a few hours, you can explore world cuisines, improve your culinary fundamentals or perfect a favorite dish, dessert or confection.
Fall 2025 Registration Dates Coming Soon
Summer Camps for Kids & Teens
Ignite your child’s passion with the camp of a lifetime. For children and teens ages 10-17, JWU offers a 4-day professional summer camp designed to teach your budding chef the fundamentals of cooking and baking, proper techniques, kitchen safety and sanitation, and an exploration of popular food items and cuisines.
Under the direction of our JWU chef-instructors, these camps offer skill development, critical thinking, hands-on learning, demonstrations, daily snacks, lunch and most of all, fun!
- Class size: 12 students per class, grouped by age
- Time: 9am-2pm (drop-off starts at 8:30am)
- Cost: $595 per week
Tuition includes application fee, apron, hat, recipe book, equipment, snacks and lunch each day.
Choose Your Track
Each week, we offer two individual class tracks:
- Culinary (savory cooking)
- Baking & Pastry Arts (desserts, breads, sweet pastry)
Choose Age Range
Students are grouped according to age, so be sure to choose the appropriate one for your child:
- Ages 10-12
- Ages 13-17
If you register for two weeks, we recommend that you choose one week of Culinary and one week of Baking & Pastry, as class menus may repeat.
Check back in 2026 for registration information.
Customized Culinary Experiences
Cost & Duration: $200 per person
Design your own culinary adventure. We offer 3 different options that can be customized depending on your group’s experience level and needs. These include:
- Recreational Cooking
Our 3-hour hands-on cooking experiences, designed for groups from 12-20 participants, include two hours of cooking and learning under the direction of a JWU chef-instructor. Class is followed by a family meal served in the adjacent dining room. - Competitive Challenges
Let us customize your event by incorporating team cooking challenges, such as Mystery Basket or Iron Chef-style competitions. We will customize your event to suit your time and needs. - Food & Wine Pairing Dinners
Designed for 16 to 24 guests, this interactive food and wine pairing dinner is held in the Hance Auditorium Chef’s Kitchen. Watch and learn as our food and wine experts demonstrate, educate and entertain your guests.
For more information about customized experiences, including pricing, contact Sarah Standeffer by email or by calling 980-598-1433.
Wine, Spirits & Beverage Classes
Cost & Duration: Varies
Ready to take your wine and spirits knowledge to the next level? JWU is an Approved Program Provider for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a globally recognized organization providing education and qualifications in wine, spirits and sake for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Class Safety
Allergens
Be aware that JWU does not guarantee an allergen-free environment. Recipes may contain nuts, nut oils, shellfish, dairy, produce and other food allergens.
See the expanded Policies section below for more details.
Dress Code
You’ll be working in a kitchen, so dress appropriately:
- Flat, rubber-soled shoes (such as sneakers) are required (preferably slip-resistant)
- No open shoes or high heels
- Bring your own cloth apron (or purchase a JWU Kitchen Academy apron for an additional $30)
- NO plastic aprons, for safety reasons
See the expanded Policies section below for more details.
Refunds/Cancellations
Camps: Camp payments are nonrefundable after 30 days prior to the first Camp Day. Notice of the cancellation must be received in writing by JWU by the applicable deadline. JWU reserves the right to cancel the Camp based on any reason within or outside of JWU’s control. In the case of cancellation by JWU, JWU will refund any amounts paid for the cancelled portion of the Camp to the original form of payment.
Programs (Recreational/Inside the Professional Kitchen): Cancelling Program registration at least 30 days before the Program start date, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule to another Program at a mutually convenient time or a full refund, less any bank fees owed by JWU. If you cancel your Program after 30 days prior to the Program start date, but at least 14 days prior to the Program start date, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule to another Program at a mutually convenient time, or a refund of 75% of the Program fee, less any bank fees owed by JWU.
Gift Cards
Once a gift card is purchased, there is no right to cancel the purchase or receive a refund. Gift cards are nonrefundable and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash.
Safety/Dress
For all Camps and Programs, please remember to dress appropriately. No shorts or sandals are allowed in the kitchen. You should wear long pants and flat, rubber-closed toe shoes with backs, such as sneakers (no shoes with holes, clogs, or dress shoes).
Image Usage
In connection with any Camp or Program, JWU may take photographs, or recordings, whether audio or video recordings, of the participants and may use these images or recordings, whether audio or video, for educational, marketing, promotional, or other university purposes.
Allergens
JWU uses hundreds of various foods and food products in its classrooms and laboratories, including, but not limited to, eggs, fish, milk (and other dairy products), nuts (peanuts and tree nuts), shellfish and other seafood, soybeans, spices, wheat, and other potential allergens, as well as cleaning supplies that may contain potential allergens. As a result, it may not be possible to eliminate certain allergens, and we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
Contact Us
Have questions about Kitchen Academy classes? Contact us by email or by calling 980-598-1433.
