Cooking Classes & More
Providence Kitchen Academy
Interactive Cooking Classes for All Levels
At JWU Providence’s Kitchen Academy, our hands-on cooking classes are led by expert chefs who turn every session into a fun, interactive experience.
Whether you’re a beginner, an aspiring pro or a curious teen, we offer something for everyone. From summer camps to gourmet workshops and customized group events, every class is designed to inspire creativity, build skills and spark a lifelong love of cooking.
Most classes are designed for a range of experience levels, but a few (like our courses aimed specifically at industry professionals) are best enjoyed by intermediate or advanced culinarians. Each course offering is labelled with an expertise range to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Recreational Cooking Classes
Cost: $140-200 | Duration: 2-3 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.
Review Fall 2025 Classes & Register
Inside the Professional Kitchen
Cost: Varies | Duration: 1-5 days
Inside the Professional Kitchen classes offer an immersive and skill-enhancing experience focused on advanced techniques and exploring industry topics. Participants should have a comfort level with professional equipment and working at a fast pace. Class is capped at 18.
During these classes, expect to:
- Improve on industry skills
- Expand knowledge in new content areas
- Network with other industry professionals/enthusiasts
Fall 2025 Registration Dates Coming Soon
Summer Camps for Kids & Teens
For Kids
Ages: 8-12 | Cost: $600.00 | Duration: Five days, 8:30am-4pm
Ready, set, cook! Our unique day camp is designed for kids (ages 8-12) looking to sharpen their cooking techniques and expand their palates. Activities include culinary applications and demonstrations empowering our campers to craft local and globally inspired dishes.
Work collaboratively within groups, in addition to personalized guidance from our College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) instructors. The afternoon is spent working on culinary or pastry-themed activities. Time is well-balanced between kitchen work and social activities.
For Teens
Ages: 13-17 | Cost: $700.00 | Duration: Five days, 8:30am-4pm
This unique day camp is designed for teens (ages 13-17) looking to sharpen their cooking skills in a professional-grade kitchen.
Five days of classes gives ample time to explore regional and global dishes, as well as baking and pastry techniques. But it’s also a great way to build leadership skills, communication, critical thinking, teamwork and creativity.
The morning session focuses on culinary lessons led by our CFIT faculty experts. In the afternoon, campers focus on baking and pastry applications — creating some sweet treats to take home to share with family.
Check back in 2026 for registration.
Customized Culinary Experiences
Cost & Duration: Varies
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:
- Customized Corporate Experiences
From knife skills to world cuisines, artisan breads to French pastries, there’s sure to be a class just for you. Bring your team to the table and let JWU host your next teambuilding experience. - Recreational Cooking
Our 3-hour hands-on cooking experiences, designed for groups from 12-16 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.
For more information about customized experiences, including pricing, contact us. If you have a specific class idea and rough date in mind, fill out the form and we will get in touch with you.
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 401-598-4598.
