Staten Island Kids Can Learn Cultural Cooking Techniques For Free With Cultured Kids Cuisine
The following answers were provided to our questions, which appear in bold, below:
- We do not have any requirements to participate for either in-person or virtual workshops; although they are tailored to children between the ages of 7-14, they are open to everyone and we often have whole families join us.
- Our virtual events are open to the public and anyone can join, but we also work with various community centers and schools across NYC and so those are more “private” and open to the students and families associated with these organizations.
- For virtual events, registration is in advance.
- For public virtual events, the limit is 50 participants; however, for in-person events, we’ve ranged from as few as 10 to as many as 300!
- Currently we are not partnered with organizations specifically on Long Island, but they are welcome to join our virtual events. We are hoping that with the release of this article, we can get the word out about CKC and have interested organizations contact us about our free services that we can over them.
- Our target age range is 7-14; and generally break up classes by age groups (i.e. ~7-10 and ~11-14) and make appropriate adaptations to the dishes and length of the classes as such.
From their release about the program:
Cultured Kids Cuisine: Connecting Youth to Culture Through Cooking
Cultured Kids Cuisine, Inc. is a non-profit initiative that uses the universal language of food to inspire curiosity, cultural understanding, and global citizenship in children. Through educational cooking workshops, the organization brings the flavors and stories of the world to life, empowering kids to explore international cuisines while learning about the cultures, histories, and traditions behind each dish.
Over the past five years, Cultured Kids Cuisine has reached more than 3,000 youth, with a special focus on underserved communities—including those in education deserts and children with disabilities. By partnering with community centers, schools, and local organizations, they provide free, inclusive workshops that offer both culinary and cultural enrichment.
These hands-on experiences go beyond the kitchen. Each workshop integrates elements of geography, language, and historical context, helping young participants develop not just cooking skills, but also empathy, awareness, and pride in their own and others’ heritage.
To help Cultured Kids Cuisine continue providing these vital services at no cost to families, the organization is currently fundraising through its GoFundMe page. Contributions will directly support future programming, ingredients, adaptive tools, and outreach to communities that need it most.
Support a world of flavor and learning—one child, one dish, one culture at a time.
From their Outreach and Communications Intern: Cultured Kids Cuisine, Inc., is a nonprofit organization led by students and recent graduates. Our mission is to promote cultural awareness in youth through food, with a focus on underserved communities and children in education deserts.
We provide a wide range of free services for children ages 7–14, including:
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Virtual and in-person cooking workshops led by chefs
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Food education courses, blogs, podcasts, and recipe kits
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Interactive lessons that explore global cultures through cuisine
Our workshops invite children to prepare international dishes while learning about the culture, history, and traditions behind the food. The experience encourages family connection, empathy, and cultural appreciation—values that we believe are essential for future leaders.
Since our founding in July 2020, we’ve reached over 3,500 children worldwide. More information is available on our website and we also welcome support through our GoFundMe.
Banner Image: Event collage. Image Credit – Cultured Kids Cuisine
Mia Kotikovski Cultured Kids Cuisine
Mia Kotikovski is a medical student and social entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Cultured Kids Cuisine. She has led national partnerships, published a children’s cookbook, and built a youth entrepreneurship program through NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. In parallel with her nonprofit leadership, Mia conducts clinical and basic research at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, and has published and presented numerous works on gastroenterology, oncology, and infectious disease. Mia combines a background in science with a passion for innovation, cultural education, and community-driven healthcare.
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