Teen Dinner Party
Learn cooking skills, make delicious meals and connect with peers! (Grades 9-12)
From sushi rolls to stir-fries, our Teen Dinner Party program lets teens cook, connect, and learn essential life skills—all while having a blast in the kitchen!
Program at a Glance
- Grades: 9-12
- Date and Time: Tuesdays from 4:30- 6:30pm in the Fall, Winter and Spring
- Duration: 6-8 weeks
- Focus: Cooking skills, social skills, teamwork, and building friendships
- Program Highlights: Teens tackle a variety of delicious recipes, take charge of preparing each meal, and enjoy a shared “family meal” at the end of every class. Leftovers come home with the teens!
- Support: Experienced staff provide guidance, while encouraging teens to take on responsibility in the kitchen.
- Cost: $430
About:
Our Teen Dinner Party program is designed to teach older teens essential cooking and social skills through hands-on, engaging meal preparation. One of our most popular programs, this course is a hit with teens who love the thrill of trying new recipes and working together to create delicious dishes—but no prior experience is needed! Whether they’re seasoned in the kitchen or trying cooking for the first time, all teens will learn, have fun, and grow their skills along the way. Each week, teens take on a new cooking challenge, from sushi and burritos to stir-fry and baked treats, tailoring recipes to their preferences and discovering the joys of cooking. The teens are responsible for preparing each meal, with counselors offering support and guidance to help them succeed while keeping them focused and motivated. After cooking, they enjoy a shared meal, bonding over their hard work and even taking home leftovers to share with family or keep for the next day.
Beyond cooking, this program is designed to naturally build essential social skills. Teens learn to communicate as they divide up kitchen tasks, practice compromise when choosing roles, and manage time effectively to complete their recipes. The collaborative nature of cooking encourages teamwork, with each session providing teens with invaluable lessons that extend well beyond the kitchen.
Weekly Breakdown of Activities:
Each session is unique and tailored to the interests of the participants, so no two programs are exactly alike. Teens will also develop a variety of social skills through the program, as they collaborate, communicate, and work through challenges together. However, most sessions follow a structure similar to the one below.
- Week 1: Welcome & Pasta Night
- Week 2: Sushi Rolls
- Week 3: Taco & Burrito Night
- Week 4: Stir-Fry and Churos
- Week 5: Sweet Treats and Baking
- Week 6: Grilled Cheese and Soup
- Week 7: Mashed Potatoes and Chicken/ Tofu
- Week 8: Teens Choice!
Intake Criteria
Youth can attend Amicus Recreation programs if they meet our Intake Criteria. If your child has not participated in an Amicus or social skills program through Foothills Academy before, the first step is to complete the Intake process prior to registration taking place.
Jana has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary, and is registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers. She has a history of working with children, youth, and families, and is passionate about early intervention, prevention, and meeting children’s social, emotional, and developmental needs. Jana is trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Traning, and the Nurturing Parenting Program Curriculum. She utilizes a trauma-informed and strength-based approach in her social work practice, aimed at mitigating the effects of trauma, strengthening family resilience, increasing natural supports, and building on existing strengths.
Intake Criteria & Financial Accessibility
Intake Criteria Information
- Check our Intake Criteria to ensure that we can meet the needs of your child.
New Amicus Participants
- Intake approval is needed prior to registration if your child has not participated in any Amicus programs before. Please complete the Intake Form to begin the process.
- Depending on the program or service you are accessing, there may be a government program to help offset some of the cost. We request that you explore these possibilities before applying for any financial assistance directly from Foothills Academy.