Founding Season · October 2026
The Life Plus Culinary League
An application-based competitive culinary program for young cooks ready for more than a class.
How it works
Four sessions. Brigade-style teams. Every cook leads.
Cooks are placed on teams of three and work together across a four-week season. It is hands-on from the first minute, and every student takes a turn leading their team.
- 1
Session 1 · Assessment & teams
Cooks are assessed, brigade-style teams of three are formed, and each team chooses its name from a curated seasonal name bank.
- 2
Session 2 · Signature dish
Teams develop the signature dish they will refine and present, learning technique and collaboration as they go.
- 3
Session 3 · Refinement
Coaching, tasting, and refinement. Every student serves as team lead in exactly one of the three competitive sessions.
- 4
Session 4 · Championship
Families attend, a judging panel scores, and the season culminates in a celebration of everything the cooks have built.
Divisions
Two divisions, by age
| Junior League | Teen League | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 9-12 | 13-17 |
| When | Saturdays, 8:00-10:30 AM | Sundays, 8:00-10:30 AM |
| Season | 4 weekly sessions, October 2026 | 4 weekly sessions, October 2026 |
| Capacity | 9 students · 3 teams of 3 | 9 students · 3 teams of 3 |
| Tuition | $500 per student | $500 per student |
The championship
A season that ends on a stage
The final session is a championship. A judging panel scores, families fill the room, and the season is celebrated in full.
- ✦A judging panel and family attendance
- ✦The Founders Cup — perpetual, engraved, and displayed on our Recognition Wall
- ✦Keeper trophies for the champions
- ✦Certificates and Founding Season status for every participant
Admission
What we look for
The League is application-based and open to all. We are not looking for the most polished cook. We are looking for young people ready to show up, learn, and lift up a team.
- ✓Enthusiasm and genuine curiosity
- ✓Maturity and commitment to the full season
- ✓Coachability — a willingness to learn and adjust
- ✓Collaboration over raw technical skill
The application asks a few short questions in the student's own words, plus the basics and any allergies. It takes about ten minutes, and applying is free.
Tuition & dates
The essentials
- Tuition
- $500 / student
- Season
- October 2026
- Admissions
- Rolling, until full
- Campus
- Sherman Oaks Galleria
FAQ
Good questions
Does my child need cooking experience?
No. No previous cooking experience is required. We look for enthusiasm and coachability, and we meet every cook where they are.
How are allergies handled?
We collect allergies and dietary restrictions on the application and accommodate them when we approve each team's dish. Please be thorough so we can plan well.
What is the refund policy?
Tuition is $500, due upon acceptance. You receive a full refund any time before Session One. Once teams are formed there are no refunds, because a team of three depends on every member.
What happens if my child is not accepted?
Qualified applicants beyond the nine seats are placed on the waitlist and given priority placement for the next season.
Is this a class we can just buy a spot in?
No. The League is application-based and admissions are rolling. A division may close before any published date once it reaches capacity.
Apply
Apply to the Founding Season
Applications are free and reviewed on a rolling basis. We read every one personally.
Prefer to talk first? Contact us or call (323) 805-0323.