All CCPL locations will be closed for the Martin Luther King Holiday on Monday, January 20. We will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, January 21.
The Teaching Kitchen
Exploration Commons Teaching Kitchen provides the community with creative and educational ways to connect through food.
Together we engage in experiences, programs, and hands-on classes to gain skills and confidence in the kitchen, both personally and professionally. We provide fundamental cooking classes, nutrition and health education, and workforce development opportunities for everyone in the community.
Our Approach to Food
Staff and guest presenters encourage curiosity of new cooking techniques and global cuisines to cultivate positive food experiences. We highlight accessible and affordable foods so participants feel empowered to recreate the recipes at home.
Our Approach to Community
We create programs to serve community members of all ages and local organizations. We foster respect of others and all food cultures by providing diverse and inclusive instruction.
Upcoming Classes and Programs
National Chocolate Cake Day
Exploration Commons
Monday, January 27, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Registration and more information
Celebrate National Chocolate Day in our teaching kitchen with a cake decorating class! Teens are invited to register to create a chocolate-filled, frosted, drizzled, and decorated cake. Each registration is for one teen and one cake.
Exploration Commons
Monday, January 27, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Registration and more information
Celebrate National Chocolate Day in our teaching kitchen with a cake decorating class! Teens are invited to register to create a chocolate-filled, frosted, drizzled, and decorated cake. Each registration is for one teen and one cake.
Basic Knife Skills
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This hands-on class will cover everything you need to know about caring for your knives and how to use them. You'll learn how to chop, dice, and mince and get plenty of practice with other professional cuts. This is a beginner class.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 - 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This hands-on class will cover everything you need to know about caring for your knives and how to use them. You'll learn how to chop, dice, and mince and get plenty of practice with other professional cuts. This is a beginner class.
Breakfast for Dinner: Breakfast Burritos
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
A delightful twist on dinner! Join us as we make breakfast burritos filled with crispy breakfast potatoes, breakfast sausage, and eggs, all wrapped up in a tortilla. Participants will make their very own breakfast burrito.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
A delightful twist on dinner! Join us as we make breakfast burritos filled with crispy breakfast potatoes, breakfast sausage, and eggs, all wrapped up in a tortilla. Participants will make their very own breakfast burrito.
Gnocchi with Browned Butter and Sage
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make a batch of tender gnocchi to toss in browned butter and sage.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 11:00am - 12:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make a batch of tender gnocchi to toss in browned butter and sage.
Making Customized Chocolate for Valentine's Day
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Customize chocolates for yourself or your valentine in this two-session class! In session one, we'll create our designs in Fusion 360 and learn about the 3D printing process. In session two, we'll utilize our 3D prints and the makerspace's Vaquform machines to create custom molds. Then, we'll head to the teaching kitchen to learn how to mold chocolate and make our custom chocolates.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, January 30, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Customize chocolates for yourself or your valentine in this two-session class! In session one, we'll create our designs in Fusion 360 and learn about the 3D printing process. In session two, we'll utilize our 3D prints and the makerspace's Vaquform machines to create custom molds. Then, we'll head to the teaching kitchen to learn how to mold chocolate and make our custom chocolates.
Brunch with Andrea Berstler
Exploration Commons
Friday, January 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join CCPL's Executive Director Andrea Berstler to make homemade sausage gravy and scratch biscuits.
Exploration Commons
Friday, January 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join CCPL's Executive Director Andrea Berstler to make homemade sausage gravy and scratch biscuits.
Cooking for Wellness: Tempeh Teriyaki
Exploration Commons
Monday, February 3, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
It’s time to broaden your protein horizons for Heart Health Month. Research supports embracing plant-based proteins to support a healthy heart, and while tofu isn’t everyone's favorite texture, there are plenty of other whole food sources of plant protein. Tempeh is an excellent choice and the perfect pairing for discussing a heart-healthy diet. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Exploration Commons
Monday, February 3, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
It’s time to broaden your protein horizons for Heart Health Month. Research supports embracing plant-based proteins to support a healthy heart, and while tofu isn’t everyone's favorite texture, there are plenty of other whole food sources of plant protein. Tempeh is an excellent choice and the perfect pairing for discussing a heart-healthy diet. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Gnocchi with Browned Butter and Sage
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make a batch of tender gnocchi to toss in browned butter and sage.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make a batch of tender gnocchi to toss in browned butter and sage.
Making Customized Chocolate for Valentine's Day
Exploration Commons
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Customize chocolates for yourself or your valentine in this two-session class! In session one, we'll create our designs in Fusion 360 and learn about the 3D printing process. In session two, we'll utilize our 3D prints and the makerspace's Vaquform machines to create custom molds. Then, we'll head to the teaching kitchen to learn how to mold chocolate and make our custom chocolates.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Customize chocolates for yourself or your valentine in this two-session class! In session one, we'll create our designs in Fusion 360 and learn about the 3D printing process. In session two, we'll utilize our 3D prints and the makerspace's Vaquform machines to create custom molds. Then, we'll head to the teaching kitchen to learn how to mold chocolate and make our custom chocolates.
Pavlovas
Exploration Commons
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, this dessert requires patience but results in a treat with a meringue base, Chantilly cream layer, and berries on top. Attendees will spend the first hour in our kitchen and then get an hour break while they're baking between 2 and 3 PM (estimated) to leave the facility if they choose. Then, we'll return to the kitchen to finish our pavlovas.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, this dessert requires patience but results in a treat with a meringue base, Chantilly cream layer, and berries on top. Attendees will spend the first hour in our kitchen and then get an hour break while they're baking between 2 and 3 PM (estimated) to leave the facility if they choose. Then, we'll return to the kitchen to finish our pavlovas.
Seniors Cook: Cooking for One or Two
Exploration Commons
Monday, February 10, 2025 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
NOTE TIME CHANGE: A demo class and tasting of delicious meals for one. Recipes will include Shrimp Pasta Bowls, Mediterranean Chicken, One-Pan Salmon with Veggies, and Apple Muffin Cups. There is no fee for this class.
Exploration Commons
Monday, February 10, 2025 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
NOTE TIME CHANGE: A demo class and tasting of delicious meals for one. Recipes will include Shrimp Pasta Bowls, Mediterranean Chicken, One-Pan Salmon with Veggies, and Apple Muffin Cups. There is no fee for this class.
Simple Seasonal Soups
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
A warm cup of soup is the perfect way to warm up a chilly winter evening and an easy way to increase your daily vegetable intake. We will prepare a few different soup recipes that can be prepared on a busy weeknight, utilizing a few time-saving ingredients. At least one plant-based soup will be included.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
A warm cup of soup is the perfect way to warm up a chilly winter evening and an easy way to increase your daily vegetable intake. We will prepare a few different soup recipes that can be prepared on a busy weeknight, utilizing a few time-saving ingredients. At least one plant-based soup will be included.
Galentine's in the Kitchen
Exploration Commons
Thursday, February 13, 2025 - 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Bring your favorite gal pal for a Galentine's Day cooking class. Recipes will include Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini, Lobster Ravioli in Brown Butter Sauce, Waffles with Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. This is a hands-on cooking class. One registration per group, with a maximum group size of two.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, February 13, 2025 - 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Bring your favorite gal pal for a Galentine's Day cooking class. Recipes will include Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini, Lobster Ravioli in Brown Butter Sauce, Waffles with Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. This is a hands-on cooking class. One registration per group, with a maximum group size of two.
Cooking Together: Cinnamon Rolls
Exploration Commons
Friday, February 14, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this group cooking class, we will make quick-rise cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting from scratch. One registration is good for up to 4 attendees, with a minimum of 2 per group. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Each group will make one recipe.
Exploration Commons
Friday, February 14, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 8 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this group cooking class, we will make quick-rise cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting from scratch. One registration is good for up to 4 attendees, with a minimum of 2 per group. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Each group will make one recipe.