Culinary Proficiency Classes for Youth and Young Adults

Through education, practice and comprehensive growth, Personal Plates strives to show students of diverse backgrounds the benefits of cooking their own meals in the comfort of their home. During the class, students will learn how to prepare meals from different cultures that are healthy and flavorful while developing an appreciation for food and its origin 

Chef Gina’s background with young students and children with developmental differences makes her the best culinarian for the job! Students will learn the basics around the kitchen: 

* Proper use of equipment and appliances

* Knife safety 

* Food handling and storage 

* Different techniques on preparation 

* And more! 

Culinary Proficiency Kitchen, @ RVAC (Spring session March, 2021 {anticipating 3/15 start}; Registration begins 2/15)

 • Per class basis: $60

 • 6-week sessions $360 (choice of either Tuesday or Thursday) - Take a 20% discount until 3/15 for a price of $288

 • Monthly sessions $480 (Tuesday & Thursday for 4 weeks) - Take a 20% discount until 3/15 for a price of $384

 • Date Night at The Kitchen ($ TBD: more information can be emailed to you)

 • Mommy/Daddy & Me Saturdays ($ TBD: more information can be emailed to you)

Seats limited to 6 students per class to allow spacing accommodations. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival as well as hand sanitizing. Masks are required to be worn at all times and hair tied back. Aprons and all equipment needed will be provided* (*Should the children decide to include a sushi class, see below, a rolling kit can be purchased at an additional fee) 

Classes are reserved per the packages above. They usually run between 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. long. To encourage student involvement and dedication to the class, the students will collectively decide which recipe to make for the following week. Throughout each class, the students will learn various techniques and skills needed to operate in a kitchen safely and creatively.  

 • 11am class: Home School Session: include culinary skill development in your curriculum!

 • 3pm class: After School Session: option of purchasing both days for the monthly session

at a discounted rate. (Currently confirming availability for school bus drop off to RVAC)

Please click here to register your child(ren). Limit 6 per class, first come - first reserved. 

Personal Chef In Your Home:

Choose from a list of suggested recipes or plan your own!

 • Per Person: $120*  

 • Private Groups of 4-6 people: $75* per person

*Plus cost of food 

Remote Cooking Classes: 

View Events Calendar for special classes or book your date in advance! 

 • Individual Class: $80 per person less than 4

 • Private Groups of 4-6 people: $55 per person; 6 or more $40 per person

 • Special Group Skills Class (as posted on calendar): $60 per household (limit 2 persons)

 • Special Group Sunday Dinner: CULINARY WORLD TOUR 2021: $40 per household (limit 2 people)

Recipe card is provided in advanced to allow time for grocery shopping.

Gift Certificates are available for introductory class!

Specializing in classes for high-functioning children and young adults.

On-Site in the Culinary Proficiency Kitchen:

Registration for classes ends the Friday before the first class of the session begins. (Register by 2/26 to enroll in the Spring session that begins 3/1) Classes will run for 6 week sessions. Coordinator/parent will have a choice of either Monday (beginner level recipes) or Wednesday (intermediate level recipes). If joining the homeschool slot, class begins at 11am and ends by 2pm; one hour for disinfecting and preparing for next class arrivals; then afterschool slot begins at 3pm and ends by 6pm. 

During the first class, the students will learn how to use the equipment in the kitchen, proper hand washing techniques, and begin to learn the basics of food safety. They will also select 5 recipes they would like to learn how to make. Throughout the session, the students will learn various techniques and new vocabulary along with their acquired skills. 

Please click here to register your child(ren). Limit 6 per class, first come - first reserved.  

In-Home:

Chef Gina will begin the first lesson with the basics on how to use the equipment in your home properly, with tips on what to avoid such as NO ALUMINUM IN THE MICROWAVE! and NEVER CATCH A FALLING KNIFE! A simple dish will be prepared and we enjoy together as we discuss favorite dishes and recipes they would like to learn.

After the initial class, menus will be customized for the student(s) prior to each class there after, ensuring the engagement and excitement for the next lab. They are encouraged to find recipes that would normally take about 60 minutes or less to make. We will learn to read the recipe, gather our mise en place (everything in it's place), proper and handy ways of measuring the ingredients, and how to adjust amounts to obtain the desired servings. 

Remote:

Classes are scheduled in advanced with the menu decided by the coordinator and/or participant(s). Please view suggested recipes for ideas or discuss further with Chef Gina if there is a preferred dish or to confirm which equipment is needed. These classes are available in multiple formats (see pricing). Once the format and recipe is decided, payment can be sent with participant name, title of event, and email. Upon receipt, a recipe card will be sent along with the Zoom meeting link. If there are any questions while shopping, the participant can reach out to the chef directly for assistance. 

With every class, mistakes are welcomed! One of the many ways to learn is through our mistakes, and it is better to make them in a setting where the student can understand why the error happened and how can it be fixed. Oh no, too much salt? A discussion arises on why too much salt is a bad thing and tips are given on how to prevent that from happening again. 

To begin classes, the coordinator (parent, guardian, or school representative) should send an email to chefgina@personalplatesllc.com. We will discuss a schedule, the preferred instructional format, number of students and classes, reimbursements and set goals. If a gift certificate is purchased, it is non-binding and up to the coordinator to continue.  

Payments can be made via: 

  •  Venmo: @personalplatesllc (#4236)

  •  QuickPay / Zelle: chefgina@personalplatesllc.com

  •  Check: Personal Plates, LLC 

All class fees are due at the time of registration. 

If registering a group, 50% deposit is due at registration with the balance paid before the start of class. 

Cancelations:

If canceled at least 48hrs in advanced, a full credit will be returned.

If within 48hrs, a 20% cancelation fee will be withheld and the balance returned. 

If the student would like to make up the class, it can be held in their account for up to 120 days. 

If a class should be canceled by the chef, it will be made up within 120 days. 

"My husband and I joined a virtual cooking class with Chef Gina at Personal Plates LLC and we had SO much fun! The Chef was so thorough and personable throughout the entire process. She sent over a list of ingredients and equipment that we would need, and sent over the recipe card as well. She took the time out during the class to cater to my personal dietary needs and it just sent me over the moon with happiness! This truly was such a fun experience, and the food came out delicious. The meal actually made its way to our “favorites” section in our recipe book. I would (and HAVE) recommend these classes and just Chef Gina’s services all around to everyone I know! She’s the best!"

-K. Tolosa, December 2020

"Gina is a wonderful instructor and cook."

-Adele Falco, Founder, Curious-on-Hudson, September, 2019