Culinary classes, therapeutic programs & life skills training to nourish body, mind and soul™.
Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Culinary programs are cooking up change that lasts a lifetime for youth and their families.
Fanjoy’s Junior Chef™ programming provides teens and young adults with innovative cooking classes and therapeutic programs that build confidence, increase social connection and teach healthy life skills for optimal mental health. When youth feel that they belong and can feed their body, mind and soul, they will thrive and reach their potential.
Register for Junior Chef Culinary Programs
Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Culinary Fundamentals + Life Skills
Helping teens find a place where they truly belong...
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This innovative 2-hour culinary class with Chef Pam Fanjoy helps teens disconnect from their screens, take a break from parents, make new friends and learn how to cook up their favourite dishes!
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The small group sizes are ideal for youth with autism, ADHD, learning challenges & anxiety. Our team makes talking about real life easy and learning how to solve complex problems seems natural. We meet teens where they're at, help them to communicate, support one another and build positive, strong connections with peers.
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FEES: $560 + HST per 4 week block ($140.00/class). Monthly payment plans are available and these programs may be covered under your private health care benefits as they are run by registered social workers.
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AGES: 14-19 years
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CLASS TIME: Sundays from 10:00am–12:00pm
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DATES:
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BLOCK 1: Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 27, Nov. 3 (no classes Oct. 13, 20)
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BLOCK 2: Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1
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Youth can join anytime if they plan to do the full 2 block (8 week) course as this is a rotating class schedule. Classes can be made up in the next block if they join mid-session.
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LOCATION: Einstein’s Café, 2 Grant St, Guelph, ON N1H 4C3
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CLASS SIZE: maximum 8 participants. Minimum 4 participants required or class will be cancelled with at least 72 hours notice prior to the scheduled class.*​
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REQUIREMENTS: All Junior Chefs are required to purchase a Junior Chef Starter Kit that includes T-shirt, hat and wooden spoon. Add a Starter Kit to your registration and pick up at the first class, only $69.00 + HST.
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INCLUDES:
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4 weekly in person 2 hour cooking classes per block
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2 meals to take home a week (value $312). Additional meals to take home can be ordered for $18.95 + HST each and must be ordered 1 week in advance.
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*In the case of cancellation by Fanjoy, a future credit for the full fee will be granted to attend any of our upcoming classes or events. Valid for 1 year from date of purchase.
Need help with program costs? Ask us about funding options.
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Guelph Community Children’s Foundation offers subsidies for eligible parents through the Free to Grow program. Click here for more information.​​
Fanjoy Junior Chef Culinary Classics™, Level 1-4 for Teens
This 8-week culinary program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of French cooking skills in our Fanjoy Culinary Classics™ including knife skills, using heat to build flavour, the difference between wet and dry cooking techniques, and the five mother sauces. We will also teach your teen how to use what is at hand in the kitchen to reduce food waste and costs at home. This course is for high school youth who are performing at grade level, have a keen interest in cooking, perhaps even experience, and they may even have an interest in entering the hospitality industry when they begin working.
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FEES: $560 + HST per 4 week block ($140.00/class). Monthly payment plans are available and these programs may be covered under your private health care benefits as they are run by registered social workers.
​
AGES: 14-19 years
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CLASS TIME: Sundays from 1:00pm–3:00pm
​
DATES:
-
BLOCK 1: Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 27, Nov. 3 (no classes Oct. 13, 20)
-
BLOCK 2: Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1
​​
Youth can join anytime if they plan to do the full 2 block (8 week) course as this is a rotating class schedule. Classes can be made up in the next block if they join mid-session.
​
LOCATION: Einstein’s Café, 2 Grant St, Guelph, ON N1H 4C3
​
CLASS SIZE: maximum 8 participants. Minimum 4 participants required or class will be cancelled with at least 72 hours notice prior to the scheduled class.*​
​
REQUIREMENTS: All Junior Chefs are required to purchase a Junior Chef Starter Kit that includes T-shirt, hat and wooden spoon. Add a Starter Kit to your registration and pick up at the first class, only $69.00 + HST.
​
INCLUDES:
-
4 weekly in person 2 hour cooking classes per block
-
2 meals to take home a week (value $312). Additional meals to take home can be ordered for $18.95 + HST each and must be ordered 1 week in advance.
​
*In the case of cancellation by Fanjoy, a future credit for the full fee will be granted to attend any of our upcoming classes or events. Valid for 1 year from date of purchase.
Need help with program costs? Ask us about funding options.
​
Guelph Community Children’s Foundation offers subsidies for eligible parents through the Free to Grow program. Click here for more information.​
Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Baking Bliss
Why not eat cake for breakfast if it brings you JOY? Join Chef Pam for eight weeks to whisk together and learn how to bake a variety cookies and squares, learn to make pastry then whip up a delicious pie, and enjoy maple season by creating delicious cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing. Menus will vary each day and your fee includes tastings during the class plus a variety of sweet treats to take home to enjoy. No experience necessary. Register early as space is limited for these hands-on baking classes. Recommended for ages 12-18 year olds.
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FEES: $525.00 + HST ($131.25/class) per 4 week block
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AGES: 12-18 years old
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CLASS TIME: Saturdays from 10:00am–12:00pm
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DATES:
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BLOCK 1: Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 26, Nov. 2 (no classes Oct. 12, 19)
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BLOCK 2: Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30
​​
Youth can join anytime if they plan to do the full 2 block (8 week) course as this is a rotating class schedule. Classes can be made up in the next block if they join mid-session.
​
LOCATION: Einstein’s Café, 2 Grant St, Guelph, ON N1H 4C3
​
CLASS SIZE: maximum 8 participants. Minimum 4 participants required or class will be cancelled with at least 72 hours notice prior to the scheduled class.*​
​
REQUIREMENTS: All Junior Chefs are required to purchase a Junior Chef Starter Kit that includes T-shirt, hat and wooden spoon. Add a Starter Kit to your registration and pick up at the first class, only $69.00 + HST.
​
INCLUDES:
-
4 two hour classes per block, recipes and your sweets to take home.
*In the case of cancellation by Fanjoy, a future credit for the full fee will be granted to attend any of our upcoming classes or events. Valid for 1 year from date of purchase.
“It's been an amazing experience for staff and for students and we've all learned so much, not just about cooking but also about working together as a team and taking on new roles and being inclusive of all different people and all of their strengths.”
Mary Beth Tersigni McCuen
Principal, St. Peter Catholic School, Guelph, Ont.
Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Culinary Fundamentals Level 1 & 2 for Teens
This 4-week cooking program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of knife skills, using heat to create flavour, wet and dry cooking techniques, basic sauce making and how to use what is at hand in the kitchen to reduce food waste. Teens will build their confidence, make new friends and experience how food can bring us together for more connection. Menus will focus on using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and developing the skill of cooking without needing to even have a recipe. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
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Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Culinary Fundamentals, Classics + Life Skills
These small therapeutic culinary classes run by Chef Pam Fanjoy and Cai, our Child & Youth Worker, teach youth with autism, mental health concerns or learning differences to cook AND cope better with life’s more complex challenges. Teens in this program may be dealing with anxiety, depression, family illness or loss, trauma, autism, ADHD, learning challenges, separation and divorce or eating disorders. With 30 years of social work experience as an adolescent and family therapist before becoming a chef, Pam has developed a unique way of using milieu therapy approaches in these specialized culinary classes. Teens disconnect from their screens, take a break from parents, and make new friends all while learning how to cook up their favourite dishes! Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
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RAINBOW CONNECTIONS—Culinary and life skills pod for LGBTQ2S+ and NON-BINARY teens
Finding a safe place where you belong is not only important, but critical for our physical health and mental wellbeing. This program is designed exclusively for youth identifying as gay, lesbian, non binary, trans or anywhere on the LGBTQ spectrum. Gathering together to learn the basics of cooking up healthy food, budgeting, creative plating and our 3 C’s— Communication, Collaboration and Cooperation, teens will find delicious new ways to feed healthy connections and accept themselves AS IS.
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Ask about our custom agency youth drop in plans that are available for select Not for Profit or Charitable Partners working within the field of youth mental health, or committed to preventing youth food insecurity and/or homelessness.
Please contact pam@chefpamfanjoy.com for further information.
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We are currently looking for either a corporate sponsor or Not for Profit funding that will allow us to resume & continue offering our in person programs for LGBTQ2S+ youth this fall. These culinary programs are always made available for select partnering agencies to book privately. Stay tuned for upcoming dates.
Fanjoy Junior Chef™ Programs for Summer 2025
Junior Chef Culinary Fundamentals and Life Skills
(for youth 12 -19 with special needs, ASD, etc.)
$849 plus Starter Kit $85 + HST
July 14–18, 2025
July 28–August 1, 2025
August 18–22, 2025
Junior Chef Culinary Grill Masters
(for Advanced teens Grades 9-12 only)
$875 plus Starter Kit $85 + HST
July 21–25, 2025
August 11–22, 2025
August 25–29, 2025
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Stay tuned for details
