About
More than just a cooking class
Hello. I'm Sharon Seonju Park, founder of Cookiddo, a kids cooking studio in Jersey City. I'm a professional chef and children's cooking instructor.
What matters most is what children are learning, and who is teaching them. At Cookiddo, cooking is more than following a recipe or preparing ingredients. Every class is designed to give children a meaningful, hands-on learning experience through food.
Story Cook. Art Cook. Well-being Cook. Brain Cook.
Cooking is the piece that locks the others together. Each class leans on story, art, well-being, and the brain—not only the recipe.
Story Cook. Stories, language, and the wider world. Imagination, and the confidence to share it.
Art Cook. Color, art, and the performance of cooking. Taste and sight feeding creativity.
Well-being Cook. Habits, nutrition, and the table. Eating well, with the body in balance.
Brain Cook. Math, science, and hands-on making. Focus and learning while they cook.
Professional teaching, on purpose
I am a professional chef with a background in Food & Nutrition, a certified children's cooking instructor, and the holder of six culinary-related certifications, including Korean, Chinese, and Western cuisine, as well as pastry and baking.
Safety is part of that training. I hold Food Handler Safety certification, CPR certification, and First Aid certification, so every child can learn in a safe, supportive kitchen.
Small group. Personalized. Hands-on.
Cookiddo classes are intentionally kept small, so I can give each child individual attention and guidance. Rather than simply completing a recipe, children are encouraged to:
- Explore ingredients through their senses
- Practice fine-motor skills and coordination
- Learn cooking techniques step by step
- Build confidence and independence
- Practice communication and following directions
- Explore nutrition and where food comes from
- Create, taste, and enjoy what they make
That small-group format keeps the experience personal. Many parents tell me their children come home excited to share what they learned— and that Cookiddo feels like so much more than a cooking class.
Experience that goes beyond the kitchen
I also bring extensive experience working with children in school and educational settings.
As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I have spent years learning about child development, special education, communication, sensory needs, and different learning styles. This experience has shaped the way I teach and helps me create a classroom where children with different abilities can feel safe, included, respected, and successful.
I believe every child learns differently. Some children learn by watching. Some need to touch and explore. Some need extra time. Some learn best by doing. At Cookiddo, we make room for those differences.
Why Cookiddo?
Cookiddo brings together professional culinary expertise, nutrition education, child-centered teaching, and hands-on learning in one experience.
My goal is simple: to help children discover that cooking can be creative, educational, empowering, and—most importantly—fun.
This isn't only about learning how to make a dish. It's about giving children the opportunity to explore, create, learn, and grow through food.
Cooking with a purpose
At Cookiddo, cooking is the starting point—not the entire lesson. While preparing food, children naturally practice:
- Fine-motor skills
- Sensory exploration
- Communication
- Following directions
- Sequencing
- Problem-solving
- Independence
- Creativity
- Nutrition awareness
Children learn important skills while doing something they genuinely enjoy.
Safety comes first
Children's safety is always a priority. I hold Food Handler Safety, CPR, and First Aid certifications, and each class is carefully structured with age-appropriate tools, ingredients, instructions, and supervision.
The goal is a space where children can explore and learn while feeling safe and supported.
Welcoming to different learners
Every child is different, and that is something we celebrate. With extensive experience working with children, and a personal background that has led me to study special education, sensory needs, communication, and different learning styles, I understand that children may need different ways to participate and learn.
Cookiddo welcomes children with different abilities and learning styles and strives to create an environment where every child can feel included, capable, and proud of what they accomplish.
More than a recipe
At Cookiddo, we don't simply teach children how to make food. We create opportunities for children to touch, explore, create, communicate, problem-solve, and build confidence—all through the joy of cooking.
Because sometimes, the most meaningful lessons happen in the kitchen.
Cookiddo — where little chefs learn, create, and grow.