At Sawyer we have the privilege of working with hundreds of inspiring educators around the country. The curricula always foster enriching atmospheres for children of all ages to discover their love of learning and grow as people.

We got the opportunity to chat with Niki Cordell, the founder of Junior Chefs Kitchen, which provides cooking classes and camps to children in Chicago. Their programs offer  hands-on cooking classes infused with nutrition education to children looking to learn. We spoke about the benefits of out-of-school enrichment activities, inspiring moments in and out of the classroom, and so much more.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I’d love to hear a bit more about you and why you started your business.

Sitting at my kitchen island growing up, doing homework while my Dad cooked dinner - enchiladas, open faced turkey sandwiches, breakfast for dinner. Nothing elaborate, but it’s these warm memories of my late father that have instilled a love of meal time with my own family.

A mother of three (Olivia 10, Grayson 8, Lenny 6) and proud wife, all my life experiences have led me here. I have spent my career in retail real estate and financial tech. Having sold a small business, I was looking for something to take everything I learned and apply it to a new venture. Junior Chefs Kitchen was born from my love of children (not just my own!), as well as learning about nutrition, cooking with my family, and the conversations around the dinner table.

Can you describe an inspiring moment you’ve had as an educator?  

Everyday and every interaction with children and food is inspiring! Specifically, getting a class of 4 year olds to try their ingredients as we went through the recipe. This made them excited to try the entire dish at the end!

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching children?  

Children are so unconventional! Having them get excited to try raw thyme as they’re picking the leaves off the stem or share stories of how they’ve had Mango Lassi with their parents recently is so fun.

What’s one time a child surprised you and made your day?

We ended a semester recently with a school partner and one of the little girls asked if she could give me a hug and said “you’re my favorite.”

On a similar note, what’s the funniest thing a child has done in your class?

We have this little hand gesture for “hot, hot, don’t touch” when we’re teaching stove and oven safety. Recently a little girl got really into it, making a whole dance, thrusting her hips and shaking her knees. It was adorable and hilarious at the same time!

Why is after school/extracurricular enrichment and camp so important for children?  

To give children a safe space to explore something new is so key for kids! Plus, it makes logistical pick-ups for working parents easier too :)

How do you think children can discover their passions when they’re not in school or your programs?

Taking what interests them from school and seeking additional places and ways to fulfill these interests. Diversity of learning is key! Try 1-2 new activities per semester to see what sticks. These can be programs found on Sawyer, your local park district, or by talking with other parents and caregivers.