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
Inclusive Cooks: Pan-Seared Pork Chops
Exploration Commons
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on cooking series for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and people without, we will prepare Pan-Seared Pork Chops with a simple pan sauce, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli.
Exploration Commons
Friday, May 9, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on cooking series for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and people without, we will prepare Pan-Seared Pork Chops with a simple pan sauce, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli.
AAPI Celebration: Scallion Pancakes with Jen Yang
Exploration Commons
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) with Jennifer Yang of Covalent Spirits. Jen will teach her 'taste of home' recipe for making scallion pancakes. Attendees will make their own scallion pancakes while hearing about Jen's childhood memories around cooking, food, and more!
Exploration Commons
Monday, May 12, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 14 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) with Jennifer Yang of Covalent Spirits. Jen will teach her 'taste of home' recipe for making scallion pancakes. Attendees will make their own scallion pancakes while hearing about Jen's childhood memories around cooking, food, and more!
Practice Your Piping Skills!
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this class, we will first practice different piping designs on paper. Then, you will use those skills to decorate an 8"x8" single-layer cake with colorful designs, which you can take home.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this class, we will first practice different piping designs on paper. Then, you will use those skills to decorate an 8"x8" single-layer cake with colorful designs, which you can take home.
Indonesian Dessert: Martabak Manis
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join guest presenter Wu Schafer as she shares information and recipes from Indonesia. In this hands-on class, we will prepare an Indonesian dessert dish, Martabak Manis, a stuffed pancake that is a decadent dessert and common street food.
Children ages 12 - 14 may register and attend ONLY if a supervising adult registers and attends with them. An adult can supervise a maximum of two children.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:30pm
Ages: 12 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join guest presenter Wu Schafer as she shares information and recipes from Indonesia. In this hands-on class, we will prepare an Indonesian dessert dish, Martabak Manis, a stuffed pancake that is a decadent dessert and common street food.
Children ages 12 - 14 may register and attend ONLY if a supervising adult registers and attends with them. An adult can supervise a maximum of two children.
Kids in the Kitchen: Practice Your Piping Skills!
Exploration Commons
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Ages: 10 - 14
Registration and more information
In this class, we will first practice different piping designs on paper. Then, you will use those skills to decorate an 8"x8" single-layer cake with colorful designs, which you can take home.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, May 17, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Ages: 10 - 14
Registration and more information
In this class, we will first practice different piping designs on paper. Then, you will use those skills to decorate an 8"x8" single-layer cake with colorful designs, which you can take home.
Lunch Meal Prep: Soba Noodles with Shrimp and Ginger Dressing
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This hands-on class will teach you how to prepare perfectly cooked soba noodles, shrimp, and a zesty ginger dressing for a delicious, make-ahead lunch. Participants will make enough to eat in class and a portion to bring home for tomorrow's lunch.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This hands-on class will teach you how to prepare perfectly cooked soba noodles, shrimp, and a zesty ginger dressing for a delicious, make-ahead lunch. Participants will make enough to eat in class and a portion to bring home for tomorrow's lunch.
Dinner's on Me: California Roll Sushi Bowl
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Registration and more information
Hey, teens, let's meet in the kitchen to prepare a new recipe that will impress your family and friends. Improve your independent cooking skills with hands-on experience in the kitchen. We will practice basic knife skills and prepare a tasty California Roll Sushi Bowl.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Registration and more information
Hey, teens, let's meet in the kitchen to prepare a new recipe that will impress your family and friends. Improve your independent cooking skills with hands-on experience in the kitchen. We will practice basic knife skills and prepare a tasty California Roll Sushi Bowl.
Baking Together: Cinnamon Star Bread
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 6 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Each group will shape and bake a delicious Cinnamon Star Bread using pre-made dough. Registration is for a group of up to four attendees. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Please indicate the names and ages of the children when registering.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 6 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Each group will shape and bake a delicious Cinnamon Star Bread using pre-made dough. Registration is for a group of up to four attendees. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Please indicate the names and ages of the children when registering.
Oat Drop Scones and Coffee/Tea
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 9:30am - 11:00am
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn how to make delicious Oat Drop Scones in our kitchen. Enjoy them with homemade whipped cream, jam, and coffee or tea for a tasty brunch.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - 9:30am - 11:00am
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn how to make delicious Oat Drop Scones in our kitchen. Enjoy them with homemade whipped cream, jam, and coffee or tea for a tasty brunch.
California Roll Sushi Bowl
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn to make a California Roll Sushi Bowl in this hands-on class! Practice essential knife skills while preparing fresh ingredients for this delicious and easy-to-assemble dish. Perfect for sushi lovers looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 10:30am - 12:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn to make a California Roll Sushi Bowl in this hands-on class! Practice essential knife skills while preparing fresh ingredients for this delicious and easy-to-assemble dish. Perfect for sushi lovers looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
Make a Custom Engraved Summer Snack Board
Exploration Commons
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 13 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Usher in the start of summer with a customized charcuterie board filled with healthy summer snacks! We will begin by creating a custom design and engraving it on our board. Then, we will head to the kitchen to fill our boards with breads, veggies, fruits, and other fun, healthy summer snacks.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 13 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Usher in the start of summer with a customized charcuterie board filled with healthy summer snacks! We will begin by creating a custom design and engraving it on our board. Then, we will head to the kitchen to fill our boards with breads, veggies, fruits, and other fun, healthy summer snacks.
If you have taken a charcuterie or snack board class at EC50 in the past, please do not register for this class. This class is intended for new patrons/registrants only.
Cooking for Wellness: Eating for Mental Health
Exploration Commons
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
The kids are home, vacations to plan, family to host, the summer stress can take its toll. But did you know changes in your diet can change how you handle life’s stressors? Discuss the relationship of mental health and food with a registered dietitian while making an easy Mediterranean recipe. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Exploration Commons
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
The kids are home, vacations to plan, family to host, the summer stress can take its toll. But did you know changes in your diet can change how you handle life’s stressors? Discuss the relationship of mental health and food with a registered dietitian while making an easy Mediterranean recipe. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Quick Dinner Series: Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Exploration Commons
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn how to make chicken and dumpling soup from scratch. Attendees will be grouped into tables of 4 where they'll work together to make their quick dinner soup.
Exploration Commons
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Learn how to make chicken and dumpling soup from scratch. Attendees will be grouped into tables of 4 where they'll work together to make their quick dinner soup.
Fish Tacos
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make flavorful fish tacos with fresh ingredients, paired with homemade flour tortillas.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will make flavorful fish tacos with fresh ingredients, paired with homemade flour tortillas.
Decorative Laser Engraved Pie Pan Lid and Strawberry Pie Class
Exploration Commons
Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a hybrid kitchen and makerspace class! We'll start in the kitchen, making a sweet strawberry pie. While our pies chill, we'll learn some basics of Adobe Illustrator as we create graphics to laser engrave on our pie pan lids. Then we'll return to the kitchen to pick up the pies to take home!
Exploration Commons
Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a hybrid kitchen and makerspace class! We'll start in the kitchen, making a sweet strawberry pie. While our pies chill, we'll learn some basics of Adobe Illustrator as we create graphics to laser engrave on our pie pan lids. Then we'll return to the kitchen to pick up the pies to take home!
Decorative Laser Engraved Pie Pan Lid and Strawberry Pie Class
Exploration Commons
Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a hybrid kitchen and makerspace class! We'll start in the kitchen, making a sweet strawberry pie. While our pies chill, we'll learn some basics of Adobe Illustrator as we create graphics to laser engrave on our pie pan lids. Then we'll return to the kitchen to pick up the pies to take home!
Exploration Commons
Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a hybrid kitchen and makerspace class! We'll start in the kitchen, making a sweet strawberry pie. While our pies chill, we'll learn some basics of Adobe Illustrator as we create graphics to laser engrave on our pie pan lids. Then we'll return to the kitchen to pick up the pies to take home!