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Home » classes

Published: Apr 2, 2025 · Modified: Jun 16, 2025 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Family Day Cooking Class at Sistrunk Marketplace

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Discover hands-on family cooking classes in Fort Lauderdale at Sistrunk Marketplace, where kids and adults cook together, explore global flavors, and create healthy meals every Sunday.

Chef Jorge Montes Sazoned logo with the tagline find your flavor.

Table of Contents

Jump to:
  • Spring Class Spotlight
  • The First Spring Menu
  • For Parents Who Value Education
  • Who Is This Class For?
  • Meet Your Culinary Hosts
  • Intimate Submersion
  • The Global Connection
  • Sunny Fort Lauderdale
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Cooking Tips and Tutorials
  • Explore Recipes
  • Subscribe to the YouTube Channel
  • Have a Comment or Question?
thumbnail for the Sistrunk marketplace video with the title: Watch! Class is in session!.

Spring Class Spotlight

Cooking in Spring (Ages 8 & Up). We celebrated the season with fresh, hands-on recipes perfect for families to make together. This class is all about teamwork, fun, and flavor!

close up of strawberry mousse and spring chicken quesadilla on a blue plate.

The First Spring Menu

This was the spring family cooking class that was all about bright flavors, teamwork, and fun. Together, each pair will make:

Turkey & Spinach Pinwheels

Savory baked puff pastry bites that are fun to roll and eat

Cheddar & Sweet Pea Quesadillas

A cheesy twist on a kid-favorite

Strawberry Mousse

Light and creamy with a layered sweet graham cracker crunch

Everything you need is included:

  • Ingredients
  • Cooking equipment
  • Aprons
  • Juice & snacks for everyone

For Parents Who Value Education

...and Need Fresh Ideas!

Our family day cooking classes are more than just fun—they're designed to help parents and children cook together as a team. You’ll leave with recipes, techniques, and the confidence to recreate the dishes at home. Best of all, these meals are ones both kids and adults will actually enjoy eating.

If you’re a parent who’s always looking for ways to supplement your child’s learning outside of school, especially during spring break and summer months, this is the perfect fit. Because:

  • You want your child to stay engaged and learn something new
  • You’re tired of the same weekend activities
  • You want to teach real-life skills, but don’t know where to start
  • You need something the whole family can enjoy — not just the kids

Cooking as a family is a fun solution that checks all the boxes. It’s hands-on learning, cultural education, sensory exploration, and teamwork — all rolled into one delicious afternoon.

Who Is This Class For?

This hands-on cooking class for families is designed for:

  • Parents and kids (ages 8+) who want to cook together
  • Families looking for an interactive spring activity in Fort Lauderdale
  • Young aspiring chefs are excited to learn new skills
  • Grown-ups who want to share the kitchen with their kids, without all the prep or cleanup!
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Meet Your Culinary Hosts

Chef Maika – Class Instructor

Hi, I’m Chef Maika, and I’ll be leading the class! As a professionally trained chef, culinary instructor, and the voice behind Just Maika Cooking, I love making food fun and approachable for home cooks of all ages. My passion lies in helping families cook together, share culture through food, and build confidence in the kitchen.

In Collaboration with Chef Jorge Montes

This class is held in collaboration with Chef Jorge Montes, founder of Sazóned—a boutique catering company and culinary experience brand that celebrates Latin flavors with a global flair. Chef Jorge is a key figure in bringing educational culinary events to Sistrunk Marketplace and is passionate about making food an experience for everyone.

Animated Chef Maika sporting a Haitian flag decorated chef hat and chef uniform.

Thanks to Chef Jorge Montes of Sazoned, I’ve been given the opportunity to launch Family Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale on Sundays at the beautiful Sistrunk Marketplace.

Intimate Submersion

We kicked things off with a test run, and to my surprise, it couldn’t have gone better. The intimate space holds just 14 people, which makes it perfect for hands-on cooking classes for kids and adults. Everyone had room to move, ask questions, and truly immerse themselves in the experience.

The smaller size encourages creativity, teamwork, and a focus on education, which is exactly what I had envisioned.

family enjoying cooking class.

Why Join Our Family Cooking Classes? We get it — life is busy. Between work, school, and the never-ending to-do list, quality time with your kids can sometimes feel like another thing you have to schedule. That’s exactly why I created these Sunday cooking classes. They’re not just about recipes. They’re about connection, culture, and confidence in the kitchen.

The Global Connection

These family cooking classes are all about introducing global ingredients in fun, approachable ways. I also highlight healthy cooking habits like using seasonal ingredients and creating meals together as a family, even when life gets hectic. Cooking together is a great way to connect, communicate, and unwind.

More Than a Class

If you're a parent who values education and is looking for spring and summer activities for families, this is the kind of experience that keeps kids engaged while also teaching real-life skills. It's not just a class. It's a chance to bond and build confidence in the kitchen.

And the venue? Sistrunk Marketplace is vibrant and diverse. There’s something for everyone in the family, from old-school arcade games and a sports bar to a stunning Sakura-themed mochi shop.

After each class, we gather in the common food court area to enjoy the meal we’ve just cooked, an added bonus that brings people together and often sparks conversations with other families and food lovers.

Here’s What You Can Expect

girl presenting her made dish at the sistrunk marketplace cooking class.
  • Hands-on cooking for both adults and kids — no watching from the sidelines!
  • Introduce your family to global ingredients with fun, approachable recipes that they can make again at home.
  • Tips on healthy eating habits — like using seasonal produce and cutting down on processed foods without sacrificing flavor.
  • A supportive, engaging environment that encourages teamwork and creativity.

Sunny Fort Lauderdale

If you’ve been searching for cooking with kids near me or family-friendly things to do in Fort Lauderdale, this is the perfect Sunday activity to add to your calendar. Our kids' cooking class in Fort Lauderdale gives families a unique way to explore culture, develop kitchen skills, and make meaningful memories — one dish at a time.

Cook with me, and let’s make Sundays your new favorite tradition for you and your family.

Book a Class

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here, you will find a list of common questions that I have answered. If you have questions, please write them in the comment section below.

What age group is this cooking class for?

This class is designed for families with children ages eight and up. Younger children are welcome with close adult supervision, and older kids and teens will also find the experience fun and engaging.

Do parents need to participate?

Yes! This is a family-style cooking class, so parents and children cook together as a team. It’s all about building connections and sharing the kitchen experience.

What kinds of dishes will we make?

Each class features a new recipe that highlights global ingredients, seasonal produce, and fun, approachable techniques. Expect dishes from different healthy global cuisines with a twist.

What should we bring to class?

We provide all the ingredients and tools you'll need. Just bring yourself, your child, and your appetite for fun and learning.

How long is the class?

Each class runs approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours, including time to cook and sit down to enjoy the meal together in the food court.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

We try our best! Please mention any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking so we can plan accordingly.

Where exactly is the class held?

Classes take place inside Sistrunk Marketplace in Fort Lauderdale, in a private demo kitchen space perfect for small-group learning.

How many people can attend?

Our intimate setup seats up to 14 participants in total, so space is limited. Early booking is encouraged. And private parties' events are welcome.

Is the venue stroller or wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Sistrunk Marketplace is fully accessible and family-friendly.

Can I bring more than one child?

Absolutely! Just make sure each child is registered. We recommend one adult per 1–2 children for the best experience.

What makes this different from other kids' cooking classes?

This isn’t just about the kids — it’s about cooking together as a family. We emphasize teamwork, education, global flavors, and healthy habits that families can take home and continue together, as instructed by Chef Maika, a professionally trained chef and board-certified teacher with experience in special education.

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Chef Maika Frederic

Chef and Educator

Haitian-American chef and educator Maika Frederic blends bold flavors with approachable recipes. With a background in both professional kitchens, classrooms, and children therapy—as a trained chef, former teacher and technician—she brings a thoughtful, inclusive touch to every dish. Through her platform, Just Maika Cooking, she shares diverse meals and practical tips to empower home cooks of all ages and levels.

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I’m Maika, a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, and culinary educator. For over a decade, I worked at major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. As a lifetime passionate cook, my blog explores a world of flavors and experiments with recipes to create restaurant-quality dinners that will excite the food enthusiast's taste buds. Learn More →

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