PRESS RELEASE: 18th March 2009

EASTER COOKERY FUN...

Children’s cookery school Cookies Kitchen is warming its ovens in preparation for its biggest ever programme of EASTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS which will take place in Frant, Tunbridge Wells, Underrriver (near Sevenoaks), Chipstead and at a new venue in Kings Hill.

Packed with fun the workshops will be held at the beginning of the Easter School Holidays, both for the Junior Cookies age group (5-10 years) and Creative Cooks (aged 11-16 years). All sessions will run from 10.30-12.30 and the workshop price includes aprons, equipment, ingredients and containers to take the creations home in – the children just need to bring clean hands! All sessions are open to regular club members and non-members.

Founder Maxine Pancaldi said: “We are really excited to be offering our widest number of courses this Easter, with over 160 club members the demand for extra sessions is quite high now. The great thing about the workshops however, is that they are open to non-members so it’s a good way to come along and try it out”.

Workshop Venue Details:

Junior Cookies - Easter Biscuits and Bonnets (suitable for 5-10 year olds)
Cost: Club Members £22.50, Non-Members £25

Workshop 1

Date Saturday 28th March
Venue Reigate Park URC Church, Reigate *** new venue ***
Places available 14

Workshop 2
Date Tuesday 7th April
Venue Underriver Village Hall, Underriver, Sevenoaks
Places available 14

Workshop 3
Date Tuesday 7th April
Venue Frant Memorial Hall, Frant, Tunbridge Wells
Places available 14

Workshop 4
Date Wednesday 8th April
Venue Kings Hill Community Centre, Kings Hill *** new venue ***
Places available 14

Creative Cooks - Apple Simnel Tarts and Something for Easter Lunch! (suitable for 11-16 year olds)
Cost: Club Members £25, Non-Members £27.50

Workshop 5
Date Tuesday 7th April
Venue 29 Nursery Place, Chipstead, Sevenoaks
Places available 6

Workshop 6
Date Wednesday 8th April
Venue 6 Lanthorne Mews, Tunbridge Wells
Places available 6

PRESS RELEASE: 13th February 2009

CALLING ALL BUDDING CHEFS!

Children’s cookery school Cookies Kitchen is warming its ovens in preparation for the launch of the first workshops in Redhill and Reigate. First on the menu is a fun two hour workshop for 5-11 year olds on Saturday, February 28th at the Redhill Methodist Church, 10.30-12.30, priced at £22.50 per child.

The launch session, which will be led by local mum of two, Clare Thomas, and Cookies Kitchen founder Maxine Pancaldi, will be followed by a series of regular cookery workshops arranged at a variety of venues throughout the area and, eventually see the introduction of regular monthly cookery clubs. Clare will also be running cookery parties throughout the area for children aged 5-16 years.

Founder Maxine Pancaldi said: “The aim of Cookies Kitchen is to teach children the good old fashioned cookery methods in a fun way, and instil a confidence in the kitchen. If you know the basics and understand where ingredients come from, you will have the makings of a good cook. Our aim is to make the learning easy – both for the children and parents - we provide all the equipment, ingredients and aprons – all the children need bring are clean hands!

“I’m really excited we are launching a new operation in Redhill and Reigate and delighted that Clare and her team will be running things locally for us. We’re in our fourth year now, having had the pleasure to teach literally 1000’s of children and we’re hoping that a move over the county boarders from Kent and Sussex will be just as rewarding for us and the new children we will meet”.

PRESS RELEASE: 11th September 2008

More Cookery Clubs and Parties On The Menu

Local Cookery School, Cookies Kitchen has found the solution to its huge waiting lists. Four new Instructors have been recruited to run clubs and parties, plus help the company meet the demand for cookery for grown ups.

Based in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, the new Instructors are running their own monthly cookery clubs for Junior Cookies, 7-11 year olds and Creative Cooks aged 11-16 years. 

Each month the children come together to make seasonal creations, which they then take home with them. Junior Cookies, study a different ingredient each month, whilst the older children, Creative Cooks, tackle more advanced recipes and even do the washing up!

Cookies Kitchen is run by two local mums, Maxine Pancaldi and Catherine Fleet and, nutritionist Mandy Cohen, all of whom share a passion for teaching children about local produce and, eating a healthy balanced diet.

“It all started as a little group of 8 children and has really taken off, but for the two of us we found we just couldn’t keep up with the demand on our own.

We found ourselves with massive waiting lists and were even having to turn business away for parties, so we were in great need of a helping hand. We now have over 100 children attending our clubs and can offer more party dates, both weekdays and weekends, plus more ad-hoc workshops.

“ Once the children’s Clubs became established the grown ups were asking for cookery lessons too. With cordon bleu trained Clare Phillips on the team we can now offer a wide range of options for adults,” said Catherine.

“Clare brings a new dimension to our relaxed, informal style of cookery. We can offer what we call “Lunch With Friends” parties whereby Clare visits you in the comfort of your own home, and you can either watch or take part as lunch is prepared for your own guests “, added Maxine.

 “ Our new team, has also meant that when we were approached by Tonbridge Girls Grammar School to take on their Triple X after school cookery lessons, we could say “YES” at last, and we are now able to provide a weekly lesson for the girls”.

Whilst the new Instructors get underway with their new clubs and parties, Maxine and Catherine are still on the look out for more Instructors, suitable premises and are keen to talk to more schools about their cookery needs.

		We were delighted to be regional winners of the 2007 HSBC Start Up Stars Awards. Click here to find out more about the Awards