Camp EDMO, a Bay Area non-profit, is extending its Chef Series of online family cooking classes. The organization announced the news in San Francisco on June 23, 2020, after a successful first run. Three new sessions are planned, and Top Chef alumni lead each one.
Chris Scott, a finalist on Top Chef Season 15, teaches on June 24. On June 28, Season 16 winner and Fan Favorite Kelsey Barnard Clark teaches alongside Sara Bradley. Bradley, by contrast, was the runner-up that season. David Viana, another Season 16 alum, follows on July 1.
Since 2004, Camp EDMO has run STEAM and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs in the school year and at summer camps. The Chef Series belongs to its EDMO Live! program. In each live class, kids ages 6 to 17 cook a dish picked by the chef together with their families.
Ed Caballero, the executive director and co-founder, said every activity passes through two lenses before it joins the curriculum. Those lenses are equity and Social Emotional Learning. He called the series a rare chance for families across the country to connect, cook and practice life skills together. Like the EDMO Live! camps and drop-in programs, the classes use Honor System Pricing. That way, he said, the programs can reach as many kids as possible.
The series already has three classes behind it. Michelle Minori of Top Chef Season 16 taught the first one, followed by Nini Nguyen of Seasons 16 and 17. Then Pablo Lamon, another Season 16 chef, led a special class on Father’s Day weekend. Minori helped create the series and will return to teach again in July. According to Camp EDMO, kids learn more than cooking, because the classes also serve its mission. That mission is to raise curious, courageous and kind people.
Pricing and summer camps
A 90-minute session costs $50 per family. Half of the proceeds go to Camp EDMO’s equity in education mission. The other half, meanwhile, supports the guest chef and a cause the chef picks. Under Honor System Pricing, families can also use one of two honor codes for 50% or 80% off. Each class is capped at 30 families so that participants can talk with the chef in person.
Camp EDMO is also running online summer camps for kids from Pre-K through 8th grade. Families can choose all-day, half-day or drop-in formats, and the camps continue through the week of August 10. Courses include Animation, Minecraft, Scratch Coding, Wildlife and Roblox, among others.
Camp EDMO is run by Edventure More, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Its goal is equal access to STEAM and SEL programs for all children. It partners with Bay Area universities, museums and industry professionals. Besides in-person programs, it offers live online classes for families, schools and school districts.
