Culikid

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Culikid Culikid is a nonprofit that provides inclusive, adaptive cooking programs for neurodiverse people.

09/01/2026

Learning by doing! Step by step, our Foodie Friends participants are building kitchen skills.

We had such an amazing year of Foodie Friends! Over the course of the program, our teens worked hard to build real indep...
07/23/2026

We had such an amazing year of Foodie Friends!

Over the course of the program, our teens worked hard to build real independence in the kitchen. These photos capture the heart of what Foodie Friends is all about: learning new cooking skills, mastering kitchen tools, and sharing a meal with friends.

From practicing kitchen safety to prepping ingredients, every participant made incredible progress. Thank you to the families, instructors, and teens who made this year such a success!

06/25/2026

Kitchens are naturally high-stimulus spaces, and the sounds, scents, or slippery surfaces can easily create unseen barriers to a successful cooking experience.

Making a few intentional adjustments before cooking even begins can change the entire rhythm of the kitchen:

Managing Sound: Swapping loud electric appliances for manual or hand-cranked tools helps keep sensory input predictable.
Supporting Motor Control: Placing non-slip silicone mats under bowls and cutting boards creates a stable, confident workspace.
Defining Boundaries: Organizing ingredients into clear visual zones on the counter prevents spatial overwhelm.

Setting up the physical environment with care allows every chef to focus comfortably on mastering their skills and building long-term autonomy.

Looking for a low-pressure way to practice kitchen skills? Banana Sushi Roll-Ups are the perfect place to start.While it...
06/04/2026

Looking for a low-pressure way to practice kitchen skills? Banana Sushi Roll-Ups are the perfect place to start.

While it looks like just a fun snack, this simple activity helps build essential everyday movements.

What you’ll need:
-Ingredients: Tortilla, nut/seed butter, banana.
-Tool: Plastic knife or safety cutter.

Skills in Action:
-Bilateral Coordination: Coordinating both hands together to roll the tortilla tightly.
-Fine Motor Control: Precision grip and spatial awareness through spreading.
-Hand Strength: Practicing controlled muscle pressure during slicing.
-Executive Functioning: Task sequencing and completion.

Tag someone who would love to try this kitchen win, or save this post for your next cooking session!

Level up your cooking while giving back. Our Community Fridge Cooking Classes are relaunching! Join us to build your kit...
04/20/2026

Level up your cooking while giving back.

Our Community Fridge Cooking Classes are relaunching! Join us to build your kitchen skills while preparing nutritious meals for the Essex Market Community Fridge.

The Program:
-Group cooking classes for adults (18+)
-Hands-on prep in a professional kitchen
-Build confidence and independence
-Support local food security

The Details:
-Mondays | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
-Essex Market Kitchen | 88 Essex St, New York, NY

Build your skills. Feed your community.

Ready to join us? Fill out the Interest Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbFtG4_MXaAXBC1vSrbKcCa60ca_2btYYqaFbvrWkKDW95qQ/viewform

🍴✨ Foodie Friends in action! ✨🍴Chefs practiced knife skills, cross-contamination prevention, stovetop techniques, and fl...
02/21/2026

🍴✨ Foodie Friends in action! ✨🍴

Chefs practiced knife skills, cross-contamination prevention, stovetop techniques, and flavor mastery.

More than quesadillas.
Life skills. Confidence. Friendships.

Want to learn more about how our Foodie Friends classes build independence, confidence, and life skills through hands-on cooking? 👀 Follow, like, share, and stay tuned!




Another successful — and inclusive — pop-up cooking class! 🥟A big thank you to Dumpling Dude for teaching us how to make...
02/12/2026

Another successful — and inclusive — pop-up cooking class! 🥟

A big thank you to Dumpling Dude for teaching us how to make dumplings and for partnering with us to bring another hands-on, inclusive cooking experience to our amazing community.

Oh, and did we mention the dumplings were absolutely delicious? 😋









We’re launching Nourish What’s Next, Culikid’s year-end fundraiser. And we’re inviting you to be part of our next chapte...
12/02/2025

We’re launching Nourish What’s Next, Culikid’s year-end fundraiser. And we’re inviting you to be part of our next chapter.

Culikid is entering a leadership transition as we say goodbye to our current Executive Director and get ready to recruit and welcome new organizational leadership in the coming months. While transitions can bring change, what hasn’t changed is our deepest commitment: creating inclusive, accessible culinary programs where neurodivergent individuals can learn life skills, grow with confidence, and find a true sense of belonging.

Our programs depend on consistent, community-powered support, now more than ever.

That’s why we’re launching Nourish What’s Next: a campaign to ensure our kitchens stay open, our programs stay strong, and every chef continues to have a safe, joyful place to cook, connect, and thrive.

🥣What Your Support Makes Possible:
* Adaptive culinary tools for neurodivergent chefs
* Fresh ingredients and hands-on learning experiences
* Skilled instructors trained in inclusive teaching
* Sensory-friendly supports to ensure every participant feels safe and welcome
* Stable, uninterrupted programming during this time of transition
* A strong foundation for Culikid’s future

Your generosity today helps protect everything our community has built and fuels the possibilities ahead.

If you believe every chef deserves a place at the table, we hope you’ll join us.

🩵 How You Can Help:
* Donate to support inclusive culinary programs
* Start a fundraiser and help us reach even more people
* Share this post to spread the word
* Invite your community to give

Every gift, every share, and every act of support helps nourish what’s next for Culikid.

👉 Donate right here or use the link below or in our bio to donate or start your fundraiser.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us move forward with strength, purpose, and heart.

🩵 Important Update from Kelley 🩵After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as Executive Di...
12/02/2025

🩵 Important Update from Kelley 🩵

After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as Executive Director of Culikid, effective 12/11. With a new baby at home and a part-time schedule this fall, it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to give the role the full attention it deserves. This choice allows me to focus on my family while ensuring Culikid continues to grow under dedicated new leadership.

Culikid has grown from a little more than an idea—a small volunteer-run ad hoc program—to a thriving community with 40–50 classes a month and an incredible team behind it. I’m endlessly proud of what we’ve built together and deeply grateful for every person who has been part of this journey.

Our board and staff are working together to ensure a smooth transition, and programs will continue without interruption. I’ll still be supporting Culikid through the transition and in a consultant role in 2026 to help it continue to thrive.

Thank you for being part of this community. 🩵
The best is yet to come.

— Kelley

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New York, NY

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