Training
Cooking for Kids
We provide recipes, training and professional consultations for Oklahoma schools adjusting to the updated USDA school nutrition requirements. We’re here to help, working side by side with child nutrition professionals to determine positive changes we can make in Oklahoma school lunchrooms.
Our Goals
Cooking for Kids aims to change the landscape of school nutrition through chef-led culinary training for school nutrition professionals resulting in:
Greater availability of freshly prepared foods
Increased student participation in school meals
- Expanded public support for child nutrition programs
Our Process
We offer Culinary Skill Development Training, Child Nutrition Leadership Training, and school-site chef consultations.
Summer Training:
Child Nutrition Leadership Training
Child Nutrition Leadership Training is a one-day training that is recommended for individuals responsible for menu planning and procurement such as child nutrition directors, managers, and school administrators.
Upcoming Training Events
| Date | Time | Location | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oklahoma State University, College of Education and Human Sciences, Hal Smith Demonstration Classroom NRD 160, Stillwater | Sign Up |
Summer Training:
Culinary Skill Development
Cooking for Kids Culinary Skill Development Training is a comprehensive, three-day culinary training program for child nutrition professionals. Priority will be given to kitchen managers and head cooks with enrollment of up to five representatives per school district. Culinary Skill Development Training enhances Child Nutrition Leadership Training. When combined they prepare a school district for personalized lunchroom planning with a Cooking for Kids professional chef consultant.
Culinary Skill Development Training covers learning how to:
- Review and taste new recipes
- Strengthen focus on food safety, knife skills and mise en place
- Effectively use flavor-enhancing herbs
- Improve results with whole grains and vegetables
*Each training session is three consecutive days. You must attend all three days to receive a continuing education certificate.
Upcoming Training Events
| Date | Time | Location | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oklahoma State University, College of Education and Human Sciences, Hal Smith Demonstration Classroom NRD 160, Stillwater | Sign Up |
| June 7, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | McAlester High School, 1 Buffalo Drive, McAlester | Sign Up |
| June 7, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Peoria Longhouse Community Center, 1813 NE Cleveland Ave, Miami | Sign Up |
| June 14, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oklahoma State University, College of Education and Human Sciences, Hal Smith Demonstration Classroom NRD 160, Stillwater | Sign Up |
| June 14, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oologah-Talala Public School, 10700 S HWY 169, Oologah | Sign Up |
| June 14, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Mayes County OSU Extension Center, 2200 NE. 1st, Pryor | Sign Up |
| June 21, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oklahoma State University, College of Education and Human Sciences, Hal Smith Demonstration Classroom NRD 160, Stillwater | Sign Up |
| June 21, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Charles Page High School, 500 N Adams Rd, Sand Springs | Sign Up |
| June 21, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Pittsburg County OSU Extension Center, 707 West Electric Ave., McAlester | Sign Up |
| July 12, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oklahoma State University, College of Education and Human Sciences, Hal Smith Demonstration Classroom NRD 160, Stillwater | Sign Up |
| July 12, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Bixby West Elementary/Intermediate School, 14901 S Harvard Ave, Bixby | Sign Up |
| July 12, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Great Plains Technology Center, Business Development Center, 1601 SW Parkridge Blvd, Lawton | Sign Up |
| July 12, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Francis Tuttle Technology Center, 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City | Sign Up |
| July 19, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Bixby West Elementary/Intermediate School, 14901 S Harvard Ave, Bixby | Sign Up |
| July 19, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Great Plains Technology Center, Business Development Center, 1601 SW Parkridge Blvd, Lawton | Sign Up |
| July 19, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Francis Tuttle Technology Center, 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City | Sign Up |
| July 26, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Bixby West Elementary/Intermediate School, 14901 S Harvard Ave, Bixby | Sign Up |
| July 26, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Autry Technology Center, 1201 W. Willow Road, Enid | Sign Up |
Summer Training:
Farm to CACFP: The FRESH Project Training
The FRESH Project training is designed to give child care centers participating in the CACFP the skills to incorporate more fresh, local food into their program.
Upcoming Training Events
| Date | Time | Location | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Peoria Longhouse Community Center, 1813 NE Cleveland Ave, Miami | Sign Up |
| June 13, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Oologah-Talala Public School, 10700 S HWY 169, Oologah | Sign Up |
| June 20, 2022 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM | Pittsburg County OSU Extension Center, 707 West Electric Ave., McAlester | Sign Up |
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP):
Culinary Skill Development Training
These trainings are for individuals employed at child care centers participating in the CACFP.
During this hands-on training, you will gain culinary skills and new food prep techniques to apply in your kitchen and learn how to plan and prepare healthy new menu ideas from a professional chef!
Culinary Skill Development Training covers how to:
• Review and taste new recipes
• Strengthen focus on food safety
• Effectively use standardized recipes
• Improve time management skills