Programs by Grade: 8

Culinary Arts with Chef Gans at Staples High School
for students [entering grades 6-9] 

Bring your appetite and a lot of energy for some tasty new twists on a perennial favorite summer program! This year we continue in the spectacular professional kitchens at Staples High School. We have an entire baking program built into each week with Chef Instructor Rebecca Nissim, and exciting new journeys and delicious new recipes for our daily adventure with Chef Gans & Chef Jewell. Join us for one week, a few weeks, or all four, and find your favorite dishes, desserts, baked goods and a whole lot more - all from scratch! Learn how to cook for yourselves and your whole family . See below for our weekly "travel itinerary". All recipes may be modified to accommodate allergies, dietary needs and restrictions when necessary, as well as adjusted for skill levels and numbers. We also have a multitude of vegan and vegetarian options each week! Please note the facility is not an allergen-free environment.  All recipes will be shared digitally at the end of the week, so you can cook and bake at home!

Please note the deadline to register so our Chefs can pre-order fresh ingredients and culinary supplies for everyone! All classes are from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the Staples professional kitchens.

A non-refundable food fee of $90 is included. A late fee of $35 will apply for late registration after the deadlines listed, if space is still available in the course.

Chef Cecily Gans has been turning novices into chefs for 25 years at Staples High School. She has worked holistically within the foods industry for almost 40 years and has been teaching all aspects of Culinary Arts and developing culinary curriculum for nearly 30 years. Culinary Camp began in the summer of 2005, and has been the springboard to many chefs careers! Chef Gans is joined by veteran camp Chef Instructors Jewell Ailes and Rebecca Nissim and a fantastic team of enthusiastic CIT’s & counselors. ‘Chef Jewell’ Ailes has enjoyed training our budding chefs for over ten years and mentors culinary students of all ages. ‘Chef Becca’ Nissim is a Chef Instructor at Madison Middle School. Both graduated from Johnson & Wales University, have worked in catering and restaurants locally, and have worked alongside Chef Gans in our summer programs for many, many years.

Always feel free to email Chef Cecily Gans with any questions, concerns, and requests @ cgans@westportps.org.