All CCPL locations will be closing at 3 PM on Wednesday, November 27 (Passport services will close at 1 PM) and we will remain closed through Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen for regular hours on Saturday, November 30.
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
Exploration Commons
Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
This hands-on bake-along class teaches how to make a classic pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling. Participants will take home their delicious dessert to eat or freeze for Thanksgiving. CCPL's Westminster Branch staff member, Tina Mawhinney, and the Exploration Commons Teaching Kitchen will be demonstrating.
Exploration Commons
Friday, November 22, 2024 - 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 Baked Salmon with Soy Glaze and a savory veggie and brown rice side dish.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Get a head start on your Thanksgiving dinner! We do the shopping, and you do the prep. You'll leave with three ready-to-cook-at-home dishes: Bourbon or Maple Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, PA Dutch Potato Bread Filling, and a side of Zesty Cranberry Sauce. Each dish will serve eight to ten people.
Note: Registration for all three sessions of this program will open on Tuesday, November 12 at 9 AM.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Get a head start on your Thanksgiving dinner! We do the shopping, and you do the prep. You'll leave with three ready-to-cook-at-home dishes: Bourbon or Maple Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, PA Dutch Potato Bread Filling, and a side of Zesty Cranberry Sauce. Each dish will serve eight to ten people.
Note: Registration for all three sessions of this program will open on Tuesday, November 12 at 9 AM.
Exploration Commons
Saturday, November 30, 2024 - 1:00pm - 4:45pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Join us for a hybrid kitchen-makerspace class! We'll start in the kitchen, preparing all the components for a delicious gingerbread cream pie. While our ingredients cool, we'll learn some of the basics of Adobe Illustrator as we create graphics to engrave on our pie pan lids. Then we'll return to the kitchen and assemble the pies to take home!
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 2, 2024 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Balance out all the heavy comfort foods with a unique salad infused with lots of holiday flavor and dense nutrition. Enjoy making this recipe while we discuss healthy eating over the holidays. This class is provided through The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County and Carroll Hospital.
Exploration Commons
Monday, December 2, 2024 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
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
Thursday, December 5, 2024 - 10:30am - 2:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, participants will learn how to make a Yule Log, also called a Buche de Noel. This traditional holiday dessert features a chocolate cake with whipped cream filling, which is rolled and decorated to look like a log! Each participant will take one Yule Log home.
Exploration Commons
Friday, December 6, 2024 - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
Create your own delicious confections for the holidays in this hands-on cooking class.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, we will prepare and taste some plant-based dishes that are perfect for the holiday season.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, we will prepare and taste some plant-based dishes that are perfect for the holiday season.
Exploration Commons
Thursday, December 12, 2024 - 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 15 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
The ServSafe® Food Handler course, taught by a Certified ServSafe® Instructor, provides basic food safety knowledge. This two-and-a-half-hour class covers five key areas: Basic Food Safety, Personal Hygiene, Cross Contamination and Allergens, Time and Temperature, and Cleaning and Sanitizing. At the end of the class, participants will take the online certification exam and will receive a certificate after passing it (in about one week).
©2018 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (National Restaurant Association). All rights reserved. ServSafe is a trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. National Restaurant Association® and the arc design are trademarks of the National Restaurant Association.
Exploration Commons
Friday, December 13, 2024 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages: 16 - Adults, Adults
Registration and more information
In this hands-on baking workshop, participants will learn how to make gingerbread dough from scratch, roll it out, and cut out your own gingerbread cookies. You will then decorate them with a variety of sprinkles and homemade royal icing.
Exploration Commons
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Ages: 13 - 17
Registration and more information
In this hands-on class, we'll make marshmallows to cut at home and two jars of hot cocoa mix to give as gifts or keep for yourself.
Exploration Commons
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages: Adults
Registration and more information
Looking for non-alcoholic drinks to serve at your holiday celebrations? Join us and learn how to use kombucha to make festive mocktails everyone can enjoy.