About COOKSMART

Hands-on kids’ cooking programs in Mississauga & Oakville, building kitchen confidence since 2016.

COOKSMART helps kids and teens learn real-life kitchen skills, try new foods, and feel proud of what they can make. From holiday camps and birthday parties to in-school workshops, our programs blend nutrition, safety, and fun. We’ve taught 28,000+ young cooks across the GTA and partner with schools to support Healthy Schools goals. Parents love the independence it sparks; educators love the curriculum fit.

Why COOKSMART?

Curriculum-linked to Health, Science, Math & Literacy

Fully nut-free, allergy-aware & OPHEA-aligned

Delivered in-class, after-school, or virtually

Certified instructors, bilingual support

All materials, tools, and cleanup included

Meet the Founder - Kathy

Kathy Stewart

CNP, BEd, MEd, BScH
Nutrionist, Educator &
Founder, COOKSMART

COOKSMART started in the kitchen of Kathy Stewart, with her three small children learning how to cut veggies for their pizza toppings.  The kids were excited to practice their new skills, especially when they could snack at the same time.  As their confidence grew using a knife, they became curious for greater challenges and were soon cooking and baking inspired creations for the whole family.  Seeing the independence that only a few simple cooking skills gave her own children, Kathy created a vision for COOKSMART. 

Kathy's extensive experience as a teaching professional, coupled with her training as a nutritionist has given her the knowledge, skills, and passion to make COOKSMART a reality.  

As statistics report higher obesity rates, more incidents of lifestyle-induced diabetes and lower age expectancy, the need for teaching healthy cooking is greater now than ever before.  Schools haven't taught cooking to all students since 1989, and a whole generation has grown up in a world of convenience foods.  

Our goal is to inspire better food choices and basic cooking for life-long healthy eating.  

What Makes COOKSMART Different?

  • Kitchen confidence that sticks — kids actually chop, sauté, measure, and plate; independence shows up at home.

  • Nutrition made normal — we cook with real ingredients and talk fuel, balance, and variety—no food shaming, just skills.

  • Real-world learning — science, literacy, budgeting, and time management show up in every recipe.

  • Inclusive & safe — nut-free, dietary swaps, age-appropriate knives, certified instructors, clean stations, insured & WSIB.

  • Built for every setting — school workshops, day camps, after-school clubs, birthdays, field trips, and community groups.

  • Corporate-ready experiences — fun, hands-on team-building that doubles as a give-back to youth food literacy.

  • Pathways to lead — structured volunteer and teen mentor roles with training, references, and real responsibility.

  • Local & trusted — Mississauga/Oakville roots, 25,000+ young cooks taught, featured on BT, CTV, and Global.

"My life's work is to empower people of all ages with the knowledge that what you eat matters, so COOKSMART" 

— Kathy Stewart

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • COOKSMART teaches hands-on cooking, baking, and nutrition skills in a fun, supportive environment. Our programs go beyond recipes. Kids and teens also learn life skills like teamwork, safety, financial literacy, and confidence in the kitchen.

  • Yes. All COOKSMART programs are nut-free, and we take extra care to accommodate allergies whenever possible. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when registering.

  • We run programs across Mississauga and Oakville, with seasonal camps and school-based workshops throughout the GTA. Each program page lists the exact location.

  • Nope! We provide all the cooking tools, equipment, and ingredients needed. Participants just need to bring their energy and creativity.

  • Our instructors are experienced educators with backgrounds in nutrition, culinary arts, and youth programming. All staff are screened, trained in food safety, and passionate about inspiring kids.

  • We understand plans change. Credits may be applied to future programs depending on timing and availability. Please see our cancellation policy for details.

  • You can register directly through our website under the “Programs” or “Camps” section. Spaces are limited, so we recommend registering early.