Afterschool · Ages 9–18
Youth Culinary Passport Afterschool Programs
Most children's cooking programs teach recipes. We teach life.
The idea
Cooking becomes the gateway to confidence, independence, and curiosity.
Students prepare new meals weekly while exploring the stories, science, geography, and traditions behind the food they create.
Enrolling now
Upcoming after-school sessions
Pick a weekday cohort and reserve your child's spot — mid-semester joining is welcome.
4-session programYouth Culinary Passport: Mexico
Program Dates September\ Four weekly sessions, one afternoon a week after school\ Pick your weekday section when you book and keep it for the month Give your child the chance to explore the world through food in this immersive, month-long youth culinary experience. Youth Culinary Passport – Mexico is a four-week series designed for curious young cooks who want to build real kitchen skills while discovering global culture. Each week, students explore Mexican cuisine as a gateway to understanding geography, regional traditions, ingredients, and culinary history. From the seafood-rich coasts to the central highlands, students learn how native ingredients — corn, beans, chiles, tomatoes, and cacao — and centuries of tradition shape one of the world's most beloved and varied cuisines. Classes are fully hands-on — kids cook complete dishes from start to finish while building confidence, knife skills, kitchen safety, masa and salsa fundamentals, flavor balancing, and teamwork. To deepen the experience, music from Mexico plays throughout each session, and visual displays provide cultural context such as maps of Mexico's regions, the bustling mercado, the story of corn and the milpa, and references from ancient Mesoamerican traditions through modern Mexico City. The kitchen becomes a classroom where food, history, geography, and creativity come together. This program emphasizes curiosity and confidence. Students are encouraged to explore flavors openly — discovering the balance of heat, acidity, salt, and freshness that defines Mexican cooking. Every class is designed so there's something each child connects with, while gently expanding their palate and perspective. Program Structure Schedule: One afternoon a week, after school. Choose your weekday section when you book.\ Duration: Four consecutive weeks\ Class Size: Limited to 10 students Curriculum Focus – Mexico Mexican cuisine and its regional influences How geography and native ingredients shape food — corn, beans, chiles, tomatoes, and cacao Core transformations: nixtamalized corn into masa and fresh tortillas, fresh and roasted salsas, layered flavor Cultural traditions around the market, the comal, and sharing a meal Foundational techniques in age-appropriate ways (knife skills, seasoning, toasting and blending chiles, balancing heat and acidity) Please Note This is a progressive, four-week series and is designed to be taken as a full month. Dietary considerations can often be accommodated if shared in advance. Knowledge Required Beginner-friendly. No prior cooking experience needed.
4-session programYouth Culinary Passport: Spain
Program Dates October\ Four weekly sessions, one afternoon a week after school\ Pick your weekday section when you book and keep it for the month Give your child the chance to explore the world through food in this immersive, month-long youth culinary experience. Youth Culinary Passport – Spain is a four-week series designed for curious young cooks who want to build real kitchen skills while discovering global culture. Each week, students explore Spanish cuisine as a gateway to understanding geography, regional traditions, ingredients, and culinary history. From the seafood of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts to the saffron-scented rice fields of Valencia and the olive groves of the south, students learn how landscape and season shape one of Europe's most celebrated food cultures. Building on September's journey through Mexico, students trace the Atlantic exchange — how New World ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, and chocolate crossed the ocean and transformed the way Spain (and the world) cooks. Classes are fully hands-on — kids cook complete dishes from start to finish while building confidence, knife skills, kitchen safety, sofrito and rice fundamentals, flavor balancing, and teamwork. To deepen the experience, Spanish music plays throughout each session, and visual displays provide cultural context such as maps of Spain's regions, the tradition of tapas, bustling markets, and the rhythm of the shared table. The kitchen becomes a classroom where food, history, geography, and creativity come together. This program emphasizes curiosity and confidence. Students are encouraged to explore flavors openly — discovering how smoked paprika, saffron, olive oil, and fresh produce build the warmth of Spanish cooking. Every class is designed so there's something each child connects with, while gently expanding their palate and perspective. Program Structure Schedule: One afternoon a week, after school. Choose your weekday section when you book.\ Duration: Four consecutive weeks\ Class Size: Limited to 10 students Curriculum Focus – Spain Spanish cuisine and its regional influences (Atlantic, Mediterranean, and interior) The Atlantic exchange — how New World ingredients (tomatoes, peppers, cacao) reshaped Spanish food Core techniques: building a sofrito, cooking rice the Spanish way, the classic tortilla española Tapas culture and the tradition of sharing food at the table Foundational techniques in age-appropriate ways (knife skills, sautéing, seasoning with saffron and smoked paprika, layering flavor) Please Note This is a progressive, four-week series and is designed to be taken as a full month. Dietary considerations can often be accommodated if shared in advance. Knowledge Required Beginner-friendly. No prior cooking experience needed.
3-session programYouth Culinary Passport: American Foodways — The Harvest Table
Program Dates November\ Three weekly sessions (holiday-shortened), one afternoon a week after school\ Pick your weekday section when you book and keep it for the month Give your child the chance to explore the world through food in this immersive, month-long youth culinary experience. Youth Culinary Passport – American Foodways: The Harvest Table is a three-week series designed for curious young cooks who want to build real kitchen skills while discovering global culture — this month, right here at home. Each week, students explore American regional cooking through the lens of the autumn harvest. From Indigenous foodways and farm-to-table traditions to the melting-pot dishes that define American home cooking, students learn how a vast, varied landscape — coasts, farmland, and orchards — and the turning of the seasons shape the way we eat. Classes are fully hands-on — kids cook complete dishes from start to finish while building confidence, knife skills, kitchen safety, roasting and baking fundamentals, flavor balancing, and teamwork. To deepen the experience, music plays throughout each session, and visual displays provide cultural context such as maps of American food regions, the story of the "three sisters" (corn, beans, and squash), seasonal harvests, and the tradition of gathering around a shared table. The kitchen becomes a classroom where food, history, geography, and creativity come together. This program emphasizes curiosity and confidence. Students are encouraged to explore flavors openly — discovering how seasonal produce, simple technique, and a little care turn a harvest into a meal worth sharing. Every class is designed so there's something each child connects with, while gently expanding their palate and perspective. Program Structure Schedule: One afternoon a week, after school. Choose your weekday section when you book.\ Duration: Three consecutive weeks (no session Thanksgiving week)\ Class Size: Limited to 10 students Curriculum Focus – American Foodways American regional cooking and the autumn harvest How land and season shape food — coastal, farmland, and orchard traditions Indigenous foodways and the "three sisters": corn, beans, and squash Core techniques: roasting seasonal vegetables, baking, and building a soup or stock from scratch Cooking for a shared table — the tradition of gathering around food Please Note This is a progressive, three-week series and is designed to be taken as a full month. Dietary considerations can often be accommodated if shared in advance. Knowledge Required Beginner-friendly. No prior cooking experience needed.
How the month works
A new country every four weeks
- 1
Weeks 1–3 · Explore a country
Progressive, hands-on cooking through a featured country each month, with the cultural context behind every dish.
- 2
Week 4 · Family tasting
A culmination experience where students cook for — and share the table with — their families.
What they take home
Skills far beyond the recipe
- ✓Knife skills & kitchen safety
- ✓Organization & time management
- ✓Independent confidence
- ✓Teamwork & communication
- ✓Problem-solving
- ✓Cultural curiosity
- ✓A healthy relationship with food
What makes it special
More than a cooking class
- 1
An immersive room
Regional music and cultural visuals set the scene alongside the cooking.
- 2
Always hands-on
Every class involves active cooking — never watching from a stool.
- 3
Rewards that motivate
Stickers for attendance, monthly rewards, and milestone recognition.
- 4
Flexible enrollment
Multiple weekly time slots, and mid-semester joining is welcome.
Where
At our Sherman Oaks Galleria campus
- Campus
- Sherman Oaks Galleria
- Address
- 15301 Ventura Blvd
- Ages
- 9–18
In the kitchen
Real kids, real skills
Reviews
What families are saying
“Our two kids have really enjoyed Chef Marc and team's cooking classes at Life Plus. They look forward to each session and come home excited to share what they have learned. Life Plus has helped build their confidence in the kitchen and encouraged a greater interest in cooking at home. Marc and team do a great job connecting with the kids, making the classes engaging and approachable. His patience and encouragement made a positive impression and we all appreciate the experience this class has provided. We would highly recommend it to other families!”
Hilary and Ian Joynervia Google“My 8 year old daughter loved the summer camps, all the different dishes she was cooking and trying new flavors. She always came back home with amazing stories of the cooking class new tips she learned in the kitchen. I definitely recommend it for curios kids that are not afraid to try new foods.”
Reyna Francovia Google“My daughter had an amazing time at the cooking camp at Life Plus Los Angeles! She looked forward to going every day and came home excited to tell us about everything she learned. She loved making all kinds of different foods, trying new recipes, and, of course, getting to enjoy everything she made! The staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and supportive. They made her feel comfortable from day one, as if she had been part of the Life Plus Los Angeles family forever. It was such a positive, fun, and encouraging environment, and she can’t wait to come back. I highly recommend this camp to any family looking for a fun and engaging experience for their child!”
Esther Fritzvia Google“Took my 16 yr old and met a friend and her daughter for the Brunch class. We had the best time! Learned a lot, and made delicious food. Wonderful experience, even the kids loved it! Planning on meeting up again to take another class soon!”
“We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Life Plus Schools! Marc was instrumental in helping bring my daughter's Wicked-themed birthday party to life, and it met all of our expectations! From the very beginning, Marc guided me through every step of the planning process with exceptional attention to detail, professionalism, and care. His communication was always prompt, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful. He made what could have been a stressful planning experience feel seamless and enjoyable. The party itself was pure magic! Marc created the perfect playlist that had the children singing along while baking, and every detail reflected the theme beautifully. Watching my daughter's face light up throughout the celebration was priceless. He truly helped make her dreams come true. The entire Life Plus Schools team was fantastic. Every staff member was warm, engaging, and wonderful with the children. Their energy, patience, and ability to connect with the kids created such a fun and welcoming atmosphere. If you're looking for a unique, memorable, and professionally executed birthday experience, I cannot recommend Life Plus Schools enough. Thank you, Marc, for creating such a special day for our family. We can't wait to come back!”
Ryan Jordanvia GoogleGive your kid the Passport.
Multiple weekly slots — and it's never too late to join mid-semester.