Youth Culinary Passport: American Foodways — The Harvest Table
Program Dates
November — Tuesdays or Thursdays
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Three weekly sessions (holiday-shortened) · choose one weekday 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: Tuesdays or Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 PM
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.
Choose your day
Same program each week — pick the weekday that works and keep it for the month.
What guests are saying
“I had an amazing experience at Life Plus Pasta Making! The instructor was personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He shared how he developed these classes, and it was clear that his own curiosity and love of learning inspired the entire experience. He was incredibly patient with everyone, while still guiding us in a way that made sure we actually learned the techniques instead of just following directions. By the end of the class, we had made a meal that was absolutely delicious. It was hard to believe that something so good came from our own hands! I will 100% be taking another class. They offer such a wide variety of classes for different interests that I have a feeling I'll be coming back for quite a while. If you're thinking about trying one, don't hesitate—you'll leave with new skills, great food, and a memorable experience.”
Nicole Lockwoodvia Google“Absolutely amazing class. The owner is so knowledgeable and helpful. We learned so much. He is so patient and has a great sense of humor. What a great family, group, or work event.”
Marcie Gardnervia Google“My wife and I had an absolutely amazing time!! Mark is a great teacher, very skilled with great culture, this was a birthday gift I will never forget!! If you are looking for a good time and great experience Life Plus is where you need to be!!”
Cap Onevia Google“My colleagues and I had an incredible time at Life Plus LA! Marc led our team of 8 through the baking course. We spent 1.5 hours learning, socializing, laughing and enjoying our way through creating biscuits, fruit tarts and bundt cakes. Marc was so incredibly knowledgable, witty, and a pleasure to be around. After the baking was complete, Marc set us up in the cafe to enjoy our creations. We spent another 1.5 hours there. Finally, we packaged our leftovers and went on our way! I can't wait to try some of the other classes!”
Susana Melkonyanvia Google“My husband and I booked a Thai cooking class with Marc for date night and it was such a treat. The 5 star reviews are well deserved. We loved how thorough and knowledgeable Marc was about cooking and the food science. He makes sure to teach you not just how but also why, you’re doin something. Not to mention the food tasted amazing and we were so pleased with how everything turned out. Do not hesitate to book! 10/10 recommend :)”
Gabrielle Pretlowvia Google“Such a good time! Our class was the Vietnamese course and it was very well crafted and structured. We enjoyed learning how to handle spring rolls, flavor and plate pho, and make a delicious hearty crepe. My goal was to learn some techniques and I walked out with some new ones!”
Daniel Belmesvia Google