Kootenay Teen Chef Club

04/14/2026

Kootenay Teen Chef Club / Teen Chef Club Canada: An Update

We’ve been quiet these past few months but have been cooking up something exciting behind the scenes.

We were absolutely delighted and surprised to learn last night that Teen Chef Clubs Canada has been announced as a nominee for the as a Community Food Innovator, joining a national community of leaders recognized for shaping Canada’s culinary identity if we win. We are incredibly honoured to be accepted as a nominee.

When Trail and District Chamber of Commerce ED Erika Krest and Business Advisor Mandi Lunan- Food Business Coach created the Kootenay Teen Chef Club in 2021, they weren’t quite sure what their idea would become.

It turned out we had a hit on on our hands.

To date, the program has high satisfaction rates from members and parents alike and has been praised by industry organizations and professionals. As a result, other communities have taken notice wanting a “Chef Club” in their community.

Thanks to a Social Enterprise Business planning program facilitated by Community Futures East Kootenay and Impact Toolbox, in 2026 the Kootenay Teen Chef Club evolved into “Teen Chef Clubs Canada”, one of the first social enterprises in Trail and District. This social enterprise will allow the licensing of the Chef Club Program business model to organizations who wish to facilitate their own clubs in their communities using a proven, successful model.

We are over the moon to be sowing the seeds of interest in the culinary, agricultural, and food industry among young folks in Canada via our proven, low barrier program.

Food Day Canada

To our incredible hometown club, YES we will be returning to Trail & District for the 2026 season. Stay tuned for start dates and when applications open in the coming 6 weeks.

03/17/2026

We're coming up on 2026 intake time! If you are a 2025 member in good standing who will be returning, we'll be reaching out to you in late April / Early May.
If you're brand new and interested, pop your name on this list and be the first to know when applications for 2026 open.

Be the first to know when we do intake for the 2026 season by getting yourself on this list! This is NOT an application, and submitting your name does not confirm 2026 membership. Those on this list will be offered membership one week before the public in the spring of 2026 (Typically late April/May...

12/21/2025

Have a wonderful holiday season love your friends at the Kootenay teen chef club.

10/30/2025

“Sous Chef Brayden took his Baker Babies challenge up a step, and didn’t just make 1 pumpkin pie, but 4! 2 of which were Gluten Free. He also made Orange Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving dinner at the same time.
Mini Sous Chef Alex was adamant that he assist his older brother with the pies. They cleaned the pumpkins and put them in the oven to roast, once they were done, Brayden pureed the roasted pumpkin untill smooth. He then hand ground his cloves for the pies, and then he started the puree mix half while Alex mixed the sugar and spices, Brayden then combined them together. He chose to use pre-made pie shells as he wasn’t confident in making his own pastry yet. He filled the pies and put them in the oven. Once cooled they went in the freezer for a couple weeks. We now have 2 beautiful pies for our family Thanksgiving dinner and 2 for a later date.
While he was awaiting for the pumpkins to roast, he made his Cranberry sauce, although not a bakers challenge he was excited to learn how to make it and loved it so much he even enjoyed it on toast.
Pumpkins & Eggs were purchased from Super C’s farm , all other ingredients from No Frills. Cranberry sauce the orange was purchased at Ferraro Foods and the rest from No Frills
Brayden is sad the teen chef season is over and said it was too short this year, he hopes its long again next year. He has made his own challenges for every month so he can continue even though the program isn’t running over winter.”

10/30/2025

Happy Halloween 🎃 looking for a spooky sweet treat to make for family and friends? Look no further 🧛

10/29/2025

“Well we forgot to take the picture when Elli did her $20 budget Chicken Alfredo for 4 people so here’s another Elli made 48 ( might end up being 38 😂) huckleberry tarts for her Band Social Potluck tomorrow night $9.98 for tart shells, $0.50 sugar, $.010 lemon juice, $0.05 corn starch and 3 cups of huckleberries $priceless 🤣”

10/15/2025

We hope you all had a super long weekend. Looking for some more autumn inspiration? Check out this dish

10/14/2025

Check out this amazing veggie haul from the Rossland Farmer’s Market. This inspired Elsie to make a chicken bacon ranch salad for her school lunch. Thanks to Ferraros for supplying the protein and dressing.

Thanks Mandi for having Elsie in this program. She has loved it and sparked a love of cooking. She now makes dinner for all of us on a weekly basis! We are looking forward to next year already.

10/08/2025

Sous Teen z chef Eva rocks the gluten free pretzel scene 🥨

“For the Mother of All Sauces challenge, Eva chose her favorite pretzel recipe and transformed it into bite-sized pretzel bites. She used a gluten-free flour mix so everyone in the family could enjoy them. The real star of the dish, however, was the rich, cheesy homemade sauce that perfectly complemented the soft, salty bites.”

10/06/2025

The KTCC would like thank Danny and the team for their unwavering support year after year. Assisting us with compiling our ‘welcome bags’ for the members, helping us to source hard to find products, the FF gift card fundraisers and just being overall rock stars we are grateful to have your support each year.