Summer Camp: Junior Chef Showdown
Program Dates
August 9–11 · Monday–Wednesday
Morning 9 AM–12 PM (ages 9–12) or Afternoon 1–4 PM (teens 13–17)
Team-based culinary competition · three days
End the summer in the kitchen with the Life Plus Junior Chef Showdown: a three-day, team-based cooking competition where campers sharpen real culinary skills, then put them to the test, right before school starts.
The competition is the fun frame; learning and confidence are the point. Teams build genuine technique, plan and cook under a friendly time limit, and present their dishes to a judging panel. Campers cook real, complete food the whole way through.
How the Week Builds
- Day 1 · Skills Bootcamp: teams form and sharpen the foundations: knife skills, heat, seasoning, and how to taste and adjust.
- Day 2 · Practice Round: the challenge format is revealed, with a coached practice round. Teams plan a dish, divide roles, and work against the clock, with instructor feedback on teamwork, timing, and presentation.
- Day 3 · The Showdown: the main event. Teams cook their final dishes and present to the judges, with awards and a celebration to close camp.
Two Divisions
Each group runs as its own competition, pitched to its age. Same spirit, different depth.
- Morning · Junior Division (ages 9–12): approachable challenges with strong guardrails. The final is a friendly mystery-basket cook-off with a pantry, a generous time limit, and instructors on hand.
- Afternoon · Senior Division (teens 13–17): a real step up, with more advanced technique, tighter constraints, more independence, and judging that pushes teens to think like real cooks.
Judging & Awards
Dishes are judged on more than taste, so effort and creativity are rewarded alongside execution: Best Overall Dish · Best Teamwork · Most Creative · Best Presentation · Best Use of the Mystery Ingredient. Multiple categories mean most campers leave with real recognition.
Program Structure
Schedule: Monday–Wednesday · Morning 9 AM–12 PM (ages 9–12) or Afternoon 1–4 PM (teens 13–17)
Duration: Three consecutive days
Class Size: 8 students in the morning group, 9 in the afternoon group
Please Note
Team-based by design: shared pressure, built-in support, and a playful tone keep it exciting rather than stressful, and every camper has a real role. These are half-day camps, not all-day coverage, and best taken as all three days. Dietary considerations can often be accommodated if shared in advance.
Knowledge Required
Beginner-friendly. No prior cooking experience needed. The first day teaches everything the competition requires.
Suitable for
Ages 9–12 (morning group) · Teens 13–17 (afternoon group)
Camp sessions
Pick a wave — each runs the same lesson plan.
What guests are saying
“Honestly one of the best birthday experiences we’ve ever had. Marc and Sara were amazing teachers and the food was fantastic. Life Plus is perfect for adults, teens and older kids. We all had an excellent time. We will not hesitate coming back!”
Marc Morganvia Google“Had a wonderful experience with Brunch: Classics Reimagined! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, the preparation process was well thought out, and the menu was absolutely fantastic. Everything was organized beautifully, making the entire experience enjoyable and seamless. A special shoutout to Marc for being so helpful throughout the process. He guided us through every step, answered our questions, and made sure everything went smoothly. Really appreciate his support and attention to detail! Overall, a thoughtfully put-together experience with great food, great guidance, and a lovely menu. Highly recommend!”
Ruchi Hendrevia Google“We had such a great time in Chef Marc's class. He is so warm and friendly. Very professional. You can tell the moment you walk in. His space is so well clean and well laid out and you know you are going to have a great time no matter what class you take! I always thought making sushi was so hard but he made it so easy. I know that I can make it at home without question. The sign of a great teacher! We were able to sit with him while we ate what we made. It was like sitting at your friends house enjoying a good meal. My husband and I were the only 2 in the class. It was our anniversary so it was extra special that we had this one on one experience. I can't wait to take another class! Thank you Chef Marc for making our day so perfect!”
suzanne rigsbyvia Google“My middle schooler has done 3 months of the after school series and absolutely loves it. It's consistently been the highlight of his weeks. He started classes with very little kitchen experience beyond baking, and has gained a new level of confidence in the kitchen, gets to try new recipes, and leaves with new skills. Initially, I thought he would complete 1-2 classes before losing interest, but every month he begs for more. I am so impressed with how much fun gets packed into every class, while still following a structured plan. Middle schoolers are hard to impress, but these classes have surpassed my expectations and then some.”
Alyssa Ehingervia Google“My mom and I took this pastry making class for her birthday and had the best time! We made three different desserts, and everything tasted amazing. The class was intimate, with only about seven other people, which made the experience feel personal and gave us the opportunity to learn so much. It was such a fun activity to do together, and we would absolutely recommend it!”
Danielle Romerovia Google“Such a great experience and the class was wonderful for all three generations in our family! Great food, fun instructions, and Mark was very knowledgable. Definitely recommend and we plan to cone again!”