The Hartselle Parks and Recreation department offered the first of two Kids in the Kitchen sessions at the Sparkman Civic Center July 18. The session allowed local children to take part in making breakfast, lunch and a dessert and taught them basic cooking skills. 

Staci Wells, one of the event organizers, said the department has been offering the class for several summers now but has never had as high a demand as this year. “We have had it almost every summer, but this year it was so popular we actually had to open up a second class, and it is already full as well,” Wells said. 

With both classes filling so quickly, Wells said the department plans to offer additional classes next summer and is looking at holiday options over the Christmas break. “We have had requests to see if we can add another one, but school starts back,” she said. “We will probably do something over Christmas – something like a candy class.”

Despite the capacity turnout, Wells said she felt the class was a success. “It went well; the children that were here had a great time. I spoke with one of the mothers, and her daughter actually made their family breakfast Saturday,” Wells said. 

Wells said they started the class as a way to help children feel comfortable in the kitchen. “We were just looking for different things for kids to be involved, and everybody needs to know how to cook something,” she said. “We just offer simple recipes that they can do on their own and that parents feel safe for them to do.”