FAQs

At The Real Food Academy, we teach how to cook using real ingredients. We believe that all kinds of meals, snacks, and desserts should be enjoyed, and that what often makes certain foods feel “unhealthy” is the processed ingredients used to make them.

By using better oils, natural sweeteners, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients, our customers learn to make food that’s familiar, satisfying, and smarter for their bodies and lifestyles.

All recipes prepared at The Real Food Academy are available online on our Recipe page. You can easily find what you’re looking for by typing the recipe name into the search bar or browsing by cuisine type.

If you prefer a printed copy, just let the chef know during class, and they’ll be happy to provide one.

Our classes are designed for chefs of all skill levels, including beginners. We’ll walk you through each step, explain techniques as you go, and make sure you feel supported throughout the entire process.

No, we are not currently an approved vendor in Broward County and do not have plans to become one at this time.

Because our staffing, ingredient purchases, and overall preparations are planned based on the number of registered participants, all payments and deposits are non-refundable.

Our cooking parties start at $1,610 for the first 10 participants, with an additional $115 per person beyond that.

No, The Real Food Academy is not a kosher facility.

The Real Food Academy offers in-house wine and beer options for adults at all events, including when accompanying kids’ parties. For a full selection, please visit our Wine and Beer list page.

For adult parties with 14 guests or fewer, as well as kids’ parties, you’re welcome to bring your own beverages with a corkage fee:

• $15 per 750 ml bottle of wine
• $30 per 1.5 L bottle of wine
• $40 flat fee for beer (any quantity)

For larger adult events with 15+ guests, you can request specific wine or beer in advance (pricing and fees will vary). The earlier you share your preferences, the better we can accommodate.

No, The Real Food Academy will provide them for you and your guests. Please let us know the type of glasses you need in advance.

Yes, for an extra charge, we provide sweet and savory food platters for adults at kids’ parties.

To see your options, select a party package while booking, and you’ll see the available adult platters alongside it. If you prefer, you’re also welcome to bring your own food.

The Real Food Academy can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and allergies, including:

• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Nut-free
• Soy-free
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

Please let us know your needs in advance so we can plan accordingly and adjust our recipes if needed.

Yes, we can adjust our recipes to accommodate allergies for kids and adults. We understand that allergies can be very serious, and we take every precaution to ensure there is no cross-contamination.

Yes, nuts may be used in our facility and in some of our recipes. While we take precautions and can adjust recipes to be nut-free, we cannot guarantee a completely nut-free environment.

Please let us know about any nut allergies in advance so we can take the appropriate steps to keep everyone safe.

At The Real Food Academy, we don’t limit our recipes to one cuisine. Each week features a different focus, including American, Italian, Mexican, Asian, Latin, and more.

No matter what we’re cooking, we always teach kids how to prepare their favorite foods using smarter ingredient choices.

No. Parents are invited to hang out in the cafe and enjoy a delicious breakfast, coffee, or even a mimosa!

We insist on this rule because your child needs to focus on the instructor. Parents can be very distracting to their children, which is not safe in many cases. Also, believe it or not, your child behaves MUCH better when Mom or Dad is not around! Please trust us on this one.

Your child will have a far better experience if you are not in the classroom. You will be invited into the classroom at the end of the class. That is when you can take pictures and when your child will have the opportunity to tell you all about their great creation. You will even have a chance to sample what they made.

We thank you in advance for respecting this rule. :)

You can register for a class directly through our booking page. Select your preferred class, choose a date and time, then complete your registration by filling out any necessary information.

If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is happy to help.

No, we do not allow walk-ins for kids’ classes.

The Real Food Academy groups kids by age to ensure the best experience for everyone. Each group participates in activities that are appropriate, engaging, and safe for their skill level.

The Real Food Academy offers both single- and multi-day camps. Multi-day camps typically range from 2 to 5 days, depending on the season and program.

^*Once you’re registered, each day follows a structured schedule similar to this:

1. Drop-Off: Morning drop-off, with optional early drop-off available
2. Morning Cooking Session: Breakfast preparation and kitchen skills
3. Learning & Activities: Cooking techniques, games, and challenges
4. Lunch Preparation: Hands-on cooking for their own meal
5. Lunch & Break: Time to eat and relax
6. Afternoon Cooking: Snack preparation and continued instruction
7. Dismissal: Afternoon pick-up, with optional late pick-up available for a fee

^*This is a sample schedule—actual curriculum and timing vary by camp.

At The Real Food Academy, safety is our #1 priority.

Before any cooking begins, kids are taught proper kitchen safety, including correct tool use, awareness of hot surfaces, how to keep their area clean, and to follow instructions at all times. Each lesson is led by a trained chef, with multiple staff members present to ensure each station is closely supervised.

Our facility also includes safety equipment such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

The Real Food Academy follows strict procedures to manage food allergies. Some of our practices include:

• Separation: We use separate tools, utensils, and ingredients when needed to avoid cross-contact.
• Cleaning: All stations, surfaces, and equipment are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized throughout the class. Kids and staff also wash their hands regularly.
• Preparation: Allergy-friendly items are prepared first, whenever possible, before other ingredients are introduced.
• Supervision: Our chefs closely monitor each station to ensure proper handling and prevent cross-contact.

We cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free environment, but we do everything possible to keep all participants safe.

No, kids do not need to bring any materials or equipment. All ingredients, tools, and supplies are included in the price and provided by the Real Food Academy team.

Children of all ages are welcome at our camps, and we love it when siblings attend together! However, they will likely not be placed in the same group because we separate kids by age.

We do our best to accommodate children with special needs on a case-by-case basis.

Our team works closely with parents to understand each child’s needs and can adjust instruction, pacing, and support to create a positive experience. We have successfully worked with children across many levels of special needs, and truly enjoy being a part of their growth and confidence in the kitchen.

Please contact us in advance so we can discuss how our team can best prepare and support your child.

We developed the prepaid package to help save a family some money. If you have one kid who's coming to cooking class all the time, or if you have more than one kid. We know that can become costly, so we created the package. Not for friends, sorry.

Kids will prepare their own breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack each day as part of the camp experience, so there’s no need to pack any food. After booking, we’ll contact you to gather any important information about food allergies or dietary restrictions.

You don’t need to bring anything to an adult class.

All ingredients, tools, and supplies are provided by The Real Food Academy. Just come ready to cook, learn, and enjoy the experience!

Yes, you still need to register for each class.

When you purchase a package, you’re buying credits (kids packages typically include 10 credits, and adult packages include 4). These credits are applied when you book individual classes.

To use them:

1. Purchase your credits
2. Choose a class and register online as usual

At checkout, no payment is required–one credit will be deducted from your balance.

Our adult cooking classes are designed for all skill levels. We understand that everyone moves at a different pace in their cooking journey, and our chefs adjust to each individual.

If you’re a complete beginner, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the basics. If you have more experience, we’ll help you refine your skills and build on what you already know.

We cook a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. The exact dish you’ll prepare depends on the class you choose and its theme.

You can view our upcoming classes on our Adult Classes page and book the experience that best fits your interests.

Absolutely, we do our best to accommodate dietary needs for all our guests.

The following are restrictions we commonly work with:

• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Nut-free
• Soy-free
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

Let us know your dietary restrictions in advance so we can plan accordingly and adjust recipes as needed.

Absolutely! The space is yours during your booked time, so feel free to arrive early and decorate however you’d like.

In some cases, you may arrive up to 1 hour before your event. However, this isn’t always possible if another class or party is scheduled before yours.

Each situation is different, so if you’d like to request early arrival, please call us in advance to confirm availability.

No, gratuity is not included for corporate events.

An 18% service charge will be added to your bill. If our staff goes above and beyond, an additional gratuity is appreciated, but not required.

Our facility can comfortably accommodate up to 130 seated adults.

We know how to handle large groups and plan activities that keep everyone involved, engaged, and excited throughout the experience.

Our corporate cooking classes include a variety of interactive, hands-on team-building activities. These may include:

• Timed tasks
• Group recipe execution
• Problem-solving challenges
• Two-team cooking challenges

Every activity is led by our chefs and designed to keep everyone engaged. The goal is to create an opportunity for your team to collaborate and improve communication, coordination, and creativity.

Yes! Our team will tailor the experience to your needs. We’ve hosted both team-building events and celebrations for companies and can adjust the structure, activities, and menu to match the vibe of your event.

If you have a specific theme, you’re welcome to arrive early and decorate. You can also request specific cuisines and menu preferences while booking.

The exact duration of your corporate cooking class may vary based on group size, event structure, and level of customization. We typically recommend planning for 2–3 hours, but please allow for some flexibility depending on how the event flows and your specific setup.

Yes.

After you make your deposit, you’ll receive a series of emails from The Real Food Academy, including one to confirm your final headcount. This form must be submitted at least 1 day before your event.

We understand plans can change and will do our best to be flexible, but staffing and preparation are based on your final guest count, so last-minute changes cannot be guaranteed.

Yes, our space is designed to comfortably accommodate both children and their parents.

We offer plenty of room for adults to relax, socialize, and enjoy the experience while the kids cook. You can even enhance your time by ordering from our adult party platters and bringing wine or beer (no hard alcohol), creating a “party within a party” for parents, friends, and family.

Absolutely!

Yes, but for Executive and Top Chef parties only.

If a piñata is important to you and you have ordered a Budding Chef party, you can add $100 for the extra time and we will gladly welcome your piñata.

For kids’ and adult parties, we typically do not provide plates, napkins, candles, or similar items for party cakes. These are often part of the party’s theme, and in our experience, are best chosen by you or your loved ones.

However, we’re always happy to help if you need anything last-minute.

We love when guests personalize and decorate our space. However, items like glitter, confetti, slime, stickers, and noisemakers can be very difficult to clean and may disrupt the experience.

For this reason, we kindly ask that you do not bring these items.

You may arrive up to 1 hour before your kids’ party to set up, but this depends on our schedule that day. If there is another class or event scheduled before yours, our team may need time to clean, reset, and prepare the space.

Please call us ahead of your desired arrival time, and we’ll confirm what’s possible for that day.

No, gratuity is not included for parties. An 18% service charge will be added to your bill.

The Real Food Academy can host a variety of private events, including:

• Family gatherings
• Corporate events
• Bridal parties
• Groom celebrations
• Holiday parties
• And more!

If you have an idea for a private event not listed above, please contact us. We’d be happy to discuss it and let you know if we can host it at our facility!

Yes, while booking, you’ll choose from four different menu packages—Latin, Asian, Italian, or Indian—each featuring customizable courses. After selecting your preferred cuisine, you’ll complete your menu selections, party details, and any add-on options.

No, we do not provide decorations, but you’re welcome to bring and set up your own to create the look and feel you want for your event.

There is no maximum number of kids. Our new space is huge!

Yes, as long as they are accompanied by their parent who will provide their undivided attention to that child.

Yes, you can bring your own food for a $75 fee.

No, a kitchen is not required. We can set up in a classroom, cafeteria, or similar space.

The ideal class size is a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 students.

We offer after-school programs for kids from Pre-K through 8th grade.

Our after-school sessions typically run between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the program and school schedule.

Each class typically lasts between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes, providing enough time for hands-on cooking, learning, and clean-up.

The official hours are from 9am to 3pm. However early drop off and late pick up can be arranged for a small additional fee.

Our cooking camps start at $650 for 5 fun-filled days of hands-on cooking experiences and activities.

This price includes breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack each day, with no registration or additional fees.

Kids can enjoy a variety of fun, hands-on activities, including cooking, baking, arts & crafts, and more.

Our summer and winter camps are designed for kids ages 5 to 16.

Absolutely! You’re welcome to call Chef Arthur anytime with your questions at 813-531-7193.

The duration of a field trip can vary based on several factors:

• Children’s Age: Younger children may require more time than older groups
• Group Size: Larger groups typically take longer than smaller ones
• Room Setup: If tables and chairs are already arranged, the process is quicker. If not, additional setup time may be needed

That said, we can adjust our pace to meet time constraints. If you have a specific schedule, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Yes, we appreciate when the room is ready upon our arrival.

Please ensure the appropriate number of tables and chairs are placed in the room where the event will take place. There’s no need to arrange them—just having them available in the space is perfect.

Three days before your field trip, you’ll receive an email requesting your final headcount. You can update your number by replying to that email.

If we do not receive an updated count, you will be billed based on your original estimate. If you provide a revised number, you will be billed according to the updated total.

Yes, your event can start at a time that works best for you.

We suggest 9:00 AM because it fits most schedules, but you’re welcome to request an earlier or later start time. To do so, please email [email protected]. If you don’t receive a confirmation within a few days, we recommend following up by phone.

Our field trips are open to boys and girls ages 3 to 14 who are interested in exploring the culinary arts.

No, a kitchen is not required. We can set up in a classroom, cafeteria, or similar space.