Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Maggiano’s Galleria-Houston, but all opinions are my own.
You may know Maggiano’s Little Italy for their fabulous scratch-made Italian food. You may have previously savored one of their authentic Italian meals from their brunch, lunch, or dinner menus. Maybe you sipped on a glass of red wine at their trendy happy hour or was spoiled by an array Italian cuisine at an event held in one of their classic banquet facilities.
But did you know that aspiring young chefs have the opportunity to enhance their culinary palate at Maggiano’s Little Italy kids cooking classes? If you didn’t, don’t feel bad because I didn’t either. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to transform my two little kids into two little chefs and I’m so happy I did! Maggiano’s Little Italy conducts so many interactive classes throughout the year, for both kids and adults.
Here are some events that they regularly host:
- Kids Cooking Class
- Adults Cooking Class
- Couples Cooking Class
- Breakfast with Santa
- Murder Mystery Dinner
- Wine Pairing Dinner
- Painting & Pinot
- And MORE!
Today’s aspiring chefs have the opportunity to reach for the stars with cooking shows like MasterChef Junior, Chopped Junior and Kids Baking Championship to name a few. But what beats stepping away from the television and putting those skills your child has learned to the test better than actually partaking in a kid’s cooking class. Nothing, right! My children have participated in cooking classes in the past but nothing like Maggiano’s kids cooking class where food, fun, cooking and healthy habits are all rolled into one!
If you follow me on my Instagram Stories, you got to see up close and personal how it all works. If you missed it, here’s a snap shot at how the kid’s cooking class works.
The Class
When we arrived, we were welcomed by Elizabeth Muchow, Banquet Sales Manager. She was very energetic and graciously informed us of what was to come. She had a list of all of the little chefs registered for the class and crossed off their names upon entry. There was open seating so we made our way to one of the many tables that was set with aprons for each little chef, a goody bag and a chef hat that could be decorated how ever they liked. They provided markers and stickers for decorating.
My children love letting their creative juices flow so they wasted no time decorating the chef hat to radiate their little personalities. The feel of the room felt fun and energetic as the other little chefs did the same. The heavy aroma in the air could not be ignored! As a result, it was great pleasure when the class was instructed to indulge in the delicious breakfast buffet that consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, muffins and french toast. There was also a beverage station that offered complimentary beverages for the little chefs and the adults.
We had a full class! No table or chair was left untouched and all of the little chefs place settings were accounted for. You could tell that everyone was enjoying the class both the kids and adults alike. The smiles, chatter, laughter and the sounds of pictures snapping and sight of little chefs posing created the illusion that we were one big happy Italian family.
This day dream was interrupted by the waiters clearing our table, alluding the crowd of what was to come. We were excited to hear Elizabeth on the microphone hyping the class up further to welcome Chef Jon. The class erupted into a loud drum roll led by Elizabeth. Suddenly, Chef Jon entered the room ready to interactively help the little chefs prepare Maggiano’s famous, homemade, Lasagna. I liked that Chef Jon educated the little chefs on the history of Italian cuisine and the importance of simple things like washing your hands before handling food. It was great that they were allowed to take a short break where they were encouraged to wash their hands before preparing their delicious lasagna.
The waiters delivered the lasagna preparation platter to each little chef. Chef Jon then invited all of the little chefs to gather around his demonstration table for a hands-on view of the lasagna layering process. Upon completion the kids hurried back to their personal station where they utilized the items at their personal tables to create the famous lasagna masterpiece! The table was adorned with bowls of ground beef, ricotta cheese, and grated provolone cheese for sharing. The little chefs personal platter consisted of 3 fresh pasta sheets, a rectangle shaped aluminum lasagna bowl and cover, and personal bowls of marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese to use later at home.
Their goody bags contained plastic gloves that they could use to prepare their meal, candy treats, Maggiano packaged measuring utensils, instructions for the lasagna preparation at home and a flier promoting the Little Chef’s Birthday Bash.
Upon completion, the class was dismissed and encouraged to sign up for Maggiano’s e-newsletter and come back for more cooking fun in the future! We thoroughly enjoyed the class and will definitely be back.
Make sure that you get a punch card on your first visit and continue to get your card punched every visit thereafter. Maggiano’s kid’s cooking class program allows for little chefs to presented with a Maggiano’s Chef Coat on their 8th visit!
The Details:
Prices Vary By Location:
- 1 Adult with 1 child – $25.00
- Additional Adult – $25.00
Hours:
- Our class was scheduled from on a Saturday 8:30 AM-10:00 PM.
- The frequency of the class is once per month or greater, varying by location.
Best for Ages: Ages 5-12
For more information: Visit Maggiano’s Galleria-Houston location here. Sign up for their email list and you will be notified as classes become available and receive an awesome high value coupon for your next visit. You can also search Eventbrite for scheduled classes as well.
Best Things about the experience:
- This class was really well organized with clear instructions for the little chefs and the staff provided great service.
- The class was all inclusive. It included breakfast, goodie bags, aprons, chef hats, the prepared meal that was lunch for my little chefs and a punch card for future class visits.
- I like that the class was diverse, consisting of children from a variety of age groups and cultures.
- It’s definitely a unique activity that kids really enjoy!
Areas for Improvement
- The next available class should be scheduled so that parents have the opportunity to sign up for future classes before leaving.
Location:
At home, for lunch, we had the lasagna that was prepared in class. We followed the baking instructions provided and it turned out great! I must admit it was a huge portion size. Our two little chefs shared with mom and dad and we all ended lunch with a full belly.
Thank you again Maggiano’s Galleria-Houston for giving us the opportunity to be apart of such a great kid’s cooking class!
Don’t forget to take your picture with the Chef!!
Note: Dates, times, prices and class theme vary by location. If you are not in the Houston area please check your nearest Maggiano’s Little Italy for up-to-date class information!
I’m glad I came across your blog. I absolutely love Italian food and never knew Maggiano’s held a cooking class for children. My first experience with Maggiano’s was a few years ago when I visited Vegas. I have been hooked ever since, well I guess I’m not as hooked as I thought since I didn’t know about this. We will definitely book a class or three and pick up dessert on the way out. Thanks for the info!
Thank you for stoping by and learning something new! It’s an awesome class and I’m sure you and your child will love it! I totally agree, their food is amazing!
This is an adorable experience.. Sounds likr something I’d like to try.. possibly the couples cooking class.. thanks for the information!! Can’t wait to see your next adventure
You’re absolutely welcome! Making memories over food is always my favorite meal.
Love this post. Will definitely have to come out and try this class, we are all about food!
Thank you! You definitely won’t be disappointed.
Omg!!! I love this!!! Can’t wait to sign me amd my daughter up for a class. We love cooking together and this will be a great experience. I’m excited to try Maggiano’s and learn something new.
I’m all for new experiences! I think your daughter will love it!
I love Maggiano’s. I used to go all the time when I lived in Chicago. I never knew they had cooking classes. My 7 year old would love something like this. We both love cooking and Italian Food. Good find.
Maggiano’s food is awesome! Bonding with kids over food is a great memory. Stop by and let me know how you liked it after you go.
This is amazing! I had absolutely no idea that they had classes at all! Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you! I didn’t either.
I so hope that we have something like this where I live when my little one is old enough to participate. I would absolutely LOVE to enroll him in something like this. Even at 16 months old he already loves trying to help me in the kitchen. What a great memory to have with your kids!
Crating memories with children over food is so fun! I’m sure they will but if they don’t you can recreate the same thing at home and have just as much fun doing it.
What a super fun activity for the children!!! My son would love something like this!!!
It was really fun! I think all Kid would enjoy it.
Wow these little chefs activities are super fun. My daughter loved seeing these pictures and she is jumping and asking me to handover kitchen to her for the day. Lols. Thansk for sharing
Awww, I like that you shared this post with your daughter. I’m going to start doing this with my kiddos…it helps keep them inspired. Thank you!
This is awesome! My oldest is turning 5 and he loves to help in the kitchen. I have taken him to the Home Depot workshops, but had no idea that Magganios has cooking workshops too! This looks like lots of fun. Thanks for sharing!
Thank up! The Home Depot workshop has been on our list, thanks for the reminder. I’m sure if he loves to help cook he will enjoy the class.
This is such a fun idea! I wish more places near me did a program like this!
It was really fun! However, its really easy to create this fun experience at home.
How cute, we need something like this over in the uk
I’m sad to see that you don’t have any opportunities like this in the UK. Try re-creating the experience at home. You can even use it as business opportunity as I’m sure their are other parents hoping for the same.
Alright, this is such a fun looking opportunity! I’ll have to see if theres a class in my community when my toddler gets a little older. I can see him loving it already.
It’s so much! I’m so confident that he will.
A kids cooking class – that’s such a great idea! I need to find a place nearby that offers this. I absolutely love cooking!
I hope you find a place close to home. If you love cooking, cooking classes are a great option.
This is so fun! My kids would love to participate in a cooking class!
It was a blast! I think all kids would love the class.
I didn’t even know they offered this! This is so cool & I love Maggianos! Great read, thank you!
Thank you! I was out of the loop on this too and so excited when I discovered the kids cooking program because their food is delicious!
I have always wanted to do a cooking class with my kids! I think it would be so much fun. I should look into it more!
I encourage you to do so. It’s such a fun thing to do with kids.
I love including the girls in the kitchen. I’m always looking for ways to simplify meals so they can help. Look forward to these kinds of activities when they are older!
That’s awesome to hear! Sounds like they’ll be more than ready when age appropriate.