Today, I’m excited to share an interview that will show you how to become a cooking instructor and hold kids’ cooking classes. I recently spoke with Jan Pinnington from Healthy Hands Cooking, who explained how this can be a great way to earn extra income.
Back in 2011, Jan noticed her kids didn’t know much about cooking and were developing unhealthy eating habits. She started teaching her daughter to cook, and soon more children joined in. Parents began giving her money to cover food and time, which made her think, “Could this be a business?”
This idea led to the creation of Healthy Hands Cooking, a movement aimed at fighting childhood obesity by teaching kids about nutrition and healthy cooking through fun classes, camps, and parties. The program includes a self-paced certification course that can be done from home, covering everything from licensing and permits to food safety and marketing.
If you’re looking for a new business idea or a way to earn some extra income, this could be worth exploring. Here’s how you can become a cooking instructor and hold kids’ cooking classes:
### Background and Starting the Business
Jan’s journey started out of necessity. In 2011, she realized her daughter didn’t know basic cooking skills. So, she began teaching her and her friends every Tuesday after school. More kids joined in, and parents started contributing money. Jan then moved her classes to a community center and developed an 8-Hour Core Cooking program covering kitchen safety, nutrition, and meal preparation.
### How the Business Works
The process is simple:
1. **Enroll Online**: Take the 11-module Healthy Hands Cooking Certified Instructor course, which covers business setup, licensing, permits, marketing, and more. You’ll also need a food handling safety course and a background check.
2. **Get Certified**: After certification, you can either start your own classes or join the HHC Instructor Community for additional support and resources like lesson plans, recipes, and a customizable website.
3. **Start Teaching**: Schedule and conduct your classes, using the training to guide you on where, when, and how to teach.
### Earnings Potential
The income can be quite profitable. For example, if you hold one 2-hour class a week with 10 kids at $30 per student, after costs, you could make about $260 per class. That’s $130 an hour! Some instructors make a full-time income working part-time hours, and there are opportunities to expand by hiring and training more helpers.
### Full-Time or Part-Time?
This business can be either. It’s flexible, allowing you to turn it into a small hobby or a full-fledged cooking empire, depending on your goals and schedule.
### What Jan Loves About the Business
Jan loves that this business empowers others while fighting childhood obesity and educating families. With no home economics classes in schools anymore, this is a way to make a positive impact on health and provide economic opportunities.
### Getting Started
Visit the Healthy Hands Cooking website to learn more. There’s an instructional webinar that explains everything, and you can contact them directly if you have questions.
### Costs
The initial certification fee is $497, plus a $15 background check and a $17.45 food safety course. Membership options start at $99 per year, with additional costs for liability insurance and an Instructor Starter Kit. Overall, expect to spend around $1,500 in the first year, which can be recouped with just one summer cooking camp.
### Additional Tips
This opportunity is ideal for anyone who loves kids and cooking. It attracts a diverse group of people, from stay-at-home parents to teachers and wellness advocates. Jan recommends attending a class to see how it works and checking out their Facebook page for more insights.
### Learning from the Instruction
Once you complete the training, you’ll be fully equipped to start your own classes. These can be held anywhere, from homes to schools to community centers. Instructors can also offer other services or products, making this a flexible and fun business opportunity.
Are you interested in becoming a cooking instructor and holding kids’ cooking classes?