Launch of new cookery school for kids

A new cookery school for Edinburgh kids is to open in Morningside on Sunday 31 August. 

Based at neighbourhood venue, McLarens on the Corner, ‘Cook Stars’ will offer a year-round programme of cooking and baking workshops for children aged 2-17 years, as well as weekly classes for toddlers. 

Cook Stars will provide hands-on classes for small groups of youngsters to prepare their own dish from scratch and take it home with them.

From 11.30am to 1.30pm on Sunday 31 August, kids across the city are being encouraged to slip on an apron and create their own chocolate and vanilla swirl marble cake at the very first Cook Stars workshop in Edinburgh. 

Cook Stars already has plans to host a series of themed seasonal cookery workshops at McLarens on the Corner throughout the year, including at Hallowe’en, Christmas and Easter, as well as on Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

The ongoing programme will promote a balanced approach to food, combining home-cooked recipes made with simple ingredients and occasional treats. Children will be encouraged to explore new flavours and cuisines, develop practical kitchen skills and build a positive relationship with food, while gaining confidence in the kitchen.

Junior chefs can also experiment with different preparation methods, including weighing, measuring, shape cutting, decorating and rolling.

Dawn Robertson from Cook Stars in Edinburgh is leading the new cookery classes and workshops. She said: "Our new classes will give children across Edinburgh the chance to develop confidence in the kitchen, learn practical life skills and discover that cooking can be fun. We’ll also learn about different ingredients and try new foods.

“Cook Stars classes will be accessible to everyone and offer fantastic value. As well as providing everything you’ll need to cook, we’ll also treat children to a craft activity and a snack to keep them entertained during cooking time.”

Dawn added: “We believe the secret to pleasurable learning is through play, so our classes are friendly, relaxed and fun. We keep our class sizes small to tailor our support, while we cook up a wide range of delicious dishes.

"One of the best things about Cook Stars is that children can take their new skills home and become more interested in helping with family meals. When children help prepare their own food, they're often much more willing to try and enjoy new ingredients."

Hannah McConnachie from McLarens on the Corner, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Cook Stars to provide the perfect venue for kids across Edinburgh to cook up a storm, make new friends and have lots of fun.”

Every child takes home their dish, along with a recipe card to cook again at home. Each session includes ingredients, equipment, aprons, packaging, a craft, snack and a printed recipe card.

Cook Stars’ one-off seasonal workshops are available for small groups of up to 12 children. Under-fives must be accompanied by an adult. The price is £25 per child.

Weekly Cook Stars cooking classes are also available for small groups of up to 14 younger children and toddlers aged two-five years, who must be accompanied by an adult. The weekly classes will run from 1 September to 8 December 2026. The price is £15 per child.

There will be no Cook Stars classes during October half-term holidays from 13-20 October. 

As part of its ongoing programme, Cook Stars will also be running classes at Christ Church in Morningside and St. Ninian’s Church in Corstorphine. There are plans to launch further classes in other locations across the west of Edinburgh in the year ahead, including workshops designed for older children aged 11-17 years.

www.cookstars.co.uk/cooking-classes/edinburgh-west

Pictured: Dawn Robertson launching Cook Stars Edinburgh with children from Forest Junior School in Merchiston, at McLarens on the Corner in Morningside