OUR PHILOSOPHY
The energy and objectives that drive the Chef MarthaK team
Chef MarthaK is not a typical cooking or baking school for kids. On the contrary, it is a very innovative program to improve the relationship of kids and food; the healthy food. We teach kids about nutrition based on their age, provide a hands-on experience of fresh ingredients, always introducing new ones. While in the kitchen, they learn a real chef’s culinary skills and prepare dishes that they eat and also can cook for their families.
What is really important for us is that the kids have fun and experience the kitchen as an activity that they want to do more of in the future. We believe that the closer they get to food selection and preparation; the higher the chances that they will make healthier food decisions. We don’t believe in forcing food into kids or rewarding them with candy if they eat their Brussel sprouts; During our workshops, we respect their own palates and food preferences but aim at expanding their tastes for food. Kids tend to eat what they prepare or at least will try it.
We want to break the paradigms that kids only like junk food or that they only eat the same food always. Healthy food can be fun, experiential and really good for the body – all at the same time. There is no need to be afraid of cooking, it is not that complicated especially when you do it from your heart and for those you care about. Particularly, kids should learn to cook at early age, so they become familiar with the ingredients, open up their palate and also be part of food preparation.
There will be times when kids will eat junk food or not too healthy stuff. However, let’s make those the exception and not the rule. Let’s also make sure that they see the difference, so the taste of home cooking food is important.
Join us and be part of the movement to change the way our kids and families eat at home!
What is really important for us is that the kids have fun and experience the kitchen as an activity that they want to do more of in the future. We believe that the closer they get to food selection and preparation; the higher the chances that they will make healthier food decisions. We don’t believe in forcing food into kids or rewarding them with candy if they eat their Brussel sprouts; During our workshops, we respect their own palates and food preferences but aim at expanding their tastes for food. Kids tend to eat what they prepare or at least will try it.
We want to break the paradigms that kids only like junk food or that they only eat the same food always. Healthy food can be fun, experiential and really good for the body – all at the same time. There is no need to be afraid of cooking, it is not that complicated especially when you do it from your heart and for those you care about. Particularly, kids should learn to cook at early age, so they become familiar with the ingredients, open up their palate and also be part of food preparation.
There will be times when kids will eat junk food or not too healthy stuff. However, let’s make those the exception and not the rule. Let’s also make sure that they see the difference, so the taste of home cooking food is important.
Join us and be part of the movement to change the way our kids and families eat at home!
ABOUT ME
Let me tell you my story
I grew up around homemade food all my life. This is the kind of food that will require 1-3 day’s preparation to be completed. My mom used (still does) to cook everything from scratch regardless of the time that this will require. Then, the family meals will start several days before the holiday. All my aunts will get together to cut vegetables, marinate food, and talk about life. There was so much joy around cooking that I always look forward to those cooking events or just the daily family meals. I know everyone could say that “my mom’s food was perfect”, however, my mom’s food was indeed perfect. Simple, healthy and well-seasoned food is what I got used to. For many years I just wanted to be like my mom…a great cook. I tried to learn everything she does when cooking. I got to develop my senses around food. I got to appreciate every step of the process from shopping at the supermarket to cutting all vegetables and to platting.
Everything seems possible when it comes to cooking. You just need to know your ingredients, be creative and also deliver your best. There were so many different dishes that it was hard to keep up with the recipes. A few years ago, I asked my mom to write all recipes in a book so I will have them forever. I wanted to cook those dishes to my son exactly the way my mom did it for us. Her book is my favorite cooking book of all times. It was made with love and every time I cook one of her recipes, the smell and taste remind me of my childhood. There is no doubt that my mom is my favorite chef. I admire her and aim to become as a good cook as she is.
When my son arrived, I was determined to see him grow healthy and cook his meals from scratch. I wanted him to also experience different food tastes and be open to food in general. No cans or preserved type of food were allowed especially the first years. My mom spent 8 months with my son and me. She taught me how to migrate from milk to baby food known as “papillas” in my country. We introduced all kind of vegetables to my son when he was few months old such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc. All healthy stuff without salt, sugar, butter, and those fake food enhancement items. He developed a great taste for all kind of foods. Nowadays, it is normal that he asks for a salad at a restaurant without looking at the kid’s menu. Every day, I still focus on open up his palate through different food ingredients and dishes.
My life took a different path a bit away from food. I became a top marketing executive, which I enjoyed but always felt that I wanted to cook more. Everyday, I will take the time to cook different dishes at home and experience new ingredients. I had the chance to live in Brazil for 3 years and on a Friday’s night I decided to become a Chef. Classes started the next week at Escola Culinaria Nicolau Rosa so I just decided to join while doing my regular job. After studying hard in a foreign language, I graduated as a Chef in 2016. I felt so accomplished and kind of connected with my family and the days that I was growing up in Panama watching my mom cook. Food is what I like and cooking makes me a better person. I get to be myself and use all my potential to create new recipes but most importantly, I enjoy feeding others. I like to see the faces when the food is eaten. Food brings people together; food makes people happy, food is my thing. I love it! There is no other way to describe it.
After I came back to the US in 2017, I decided to teach, cook and entertain others beyond my family especially kids. I want to become the best chef for children. I want to develop recipes and test my food with kids! I believe that we can change the way our kids eat and also have a strong impact on their physical and emotional development. I believe that kids food doesn’t have to be “bad and fast”, doesn’t have to just pizza or mac and cheese…or all that kind of stuff that we found out there. I believe that we can build unique dishes around some traditional food names and some kids friendly ingredients. I want to empower them to learn but also be creative at my cooking school!
Everything seems possible when it comes to cooking. You just need to know your ingredients, be creative and also deliver your best. There were so many different dishes that it was hard to keep up with the recipes. A few years ago, I asked my mom to write all recipes in a book so I will have them forever. I wanted to cook those dishes to my son exactly the way my mom did it for us. Her book is my favorite cooking book of all times. It was made with love and every time I cook one of her recipes, the smell and taste remind me of my childhood. There is no doubt that my mom is my favorite chef. I admire her and aim to become as a good cook as she is.
When my son arrived, I was determined to see him grow healthy and cook his meals from scratch. I wanted him to also experience different food tastes and be open to food in general. No cans or preserved type of food were allowed especially the first years. My mom spent 8 months with my son and me. She taught me how to migrate from milk to baby food known as “papillas” in my country. We introduced all kind of vegetables to my son when he was few months old such as carrots, broccoli, spinach, etc. All healthy stuff without salt, sugar, butter, and those fake food enhancement items. He developed a great taste for all kind of foods. Nowadays, it is normal that he asks for a salad at a restaurant without looking at the kid’s menu. Every day, I still focus on open up his palate through different food ingredients and dishes.
My life took a different path a bit away from food. I became a top marketing executive, which I enjoyed but always felt that I wanted to cook more. Everyday, I will take the time to cook different dishes at home and experience new ingredients. I had the chance to live in Brazil for 3 years and on a Friday’s night I decided to become a Chef. Classes started the next week at Escola Culinaria Nicolau Rosa so I just decided to join while doing my regular job. After studying hard in a foreign language, I graduated as a Chef in 2016. I felt so accomplished and kind of connected with my family and the days that I was growing up in Panama watching my mom cook. Food is what I like and cooking makes me a better person. I get to be myself and use all my potential to create new recipes but most importantly, I enjoy feeding others. I like to see the faces when the food is eaten. Food brings people together; food makes people happy, food is my thing. I love it! There is no other way to describe it.
After I came back to the US in 2017, I decided to teach, cook and entertain others beyond my family especially kids. I want to become the best chef for children. I want to develop recipes and test my food with kids! I believe that we can change the way our kids eat and also have a strong impact on their physical and emotional development. I believe that kids food doesn’t have to be “bad and fast”, doesn’t have to just pizza or mac and cheese…or all that kind of stuff that we found out there. I believe that we can build unique dishes around some traditional food names and some kids friendly ingredients. I want to empower them to learn but also be creative at my cooking school!
Chef Marthak Marketplace
Look at our limited time promotions and products
CMK culinary baskets or gift certificate for upcoming workshops are available now!
In response to our little chefs and moms who have been asking for the products and chef tools that we use in class, we created chef baskets of all levels and prices. These are perfect gifts for friends and families because they are not the typical baskets. They could be customized depending on the recipient. From offering basic to high end cooking utensils and items that we get from the US, Japan, Germany or Poland.
Unique Kitchen Tools and More
Specially developed by CMK
The best chef tools selected by CMK are available to make the perfect gift. We offer the best cutting board, knives, utensils in general that are used by Chef Martha to make your cooking experience better and easier at home. These tools are selected based on quality and hygiene in the kitchen.
Fresh Cooking Ingredients from Local Farmers
From the producer to your kitchen
They are the perfect complement to our cooking baskets. Imagine fresh spices that taste different from those that we buy at most supermarkets or candles made out of species to refresh your kitchen after preparing a family meal! We can also offer freshly made olive oils with different flavors for cooking or to make wonderful salad dressings.
