Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/976908
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 46 MAY 2018 ere's no shortage of cooking shows and competitions on television, but no matter how many you watch, you're never go- ing to develop new (or hone existing) cooking skills if you don't actually cook. Enter the new Taste Buds Kitchen location in Beverly, which opened late last year. e kitchen is a self-pro- claimed "kids' kitchen by day and BYOB adult kitchen by night." eir slogan is good, but what keeps North Shore residents coming back ( rst to the North Andover location and now to owner Laurel Holmes's new Beverly location) is the quality of the facilities and classes. If you are a mom or dad wanting to get a few new cooking techniques under your belt, a single person looking to make connections and have some laughs at a social event, or a frequent host who wants to be the envy of all your guests at your next dinner party, an adult cooking class at Taste Buds Kitchen is probably just what you're looking for. "Oftentimes we see friends who will come in a group, as well as people who sign up as singles—and it is always a very social event; no one should be afraid to come alone or with friends," assures Holmes. If you are a parent looking for a birthday party setting that's both fun and unique, Taste Buds Kitchen is more than happy to answer the call. ey also host family classes, bachelo- rette groups, school groups, eld trips, and more. e common denominator of all their events is cooking that is appropriately tailored to the chefs in attendance. Whether you consider yourself a fairly good cook or not makes little dierence, because everyone bonds over the shared experience of food, says Holmes. "People really do come together over food." She notes that it "binds people so eectively" in a way few other things do. Much of the on-site culinary expertise comes courtesy of executive chef Donna Keegan, who Holmes says shares her knowl- edge of and enthusiasm for cooking with everyone she meets. e Beverly location is also available for corporate events where companies rent the whole kitchen, oering a welcome alternative to traditional oce group outings. is makes a great option for family events, too, and is a hit with a wide range of people regardless of culinary experience. "It is just fun; it is much more interactive than going to a restaurant," says Holmes, and not only will you learn to cook a variety of items, but you will enjoy a delicious meal as well. Taste Buds Kitchen owner Laurel Holmes (right) says that everyone bonds over the shared experience of food, both in the kitchen's North Andover location and now in the new Beverly location. / L I V E + P L AY / CONTACT tastebudskitchen.com/beverly e food, while elevated, is not "out of reach." Although you may not prepare handmade pasta or mushroom true pea risotto every day at home, participants will learn valuable cooking skills (and hey, you just might end up making that risotto every day). e kitchen is prepared for various dietary restrictions or allergies people may have and is well versed in working around things like a gluten allergy or dietary preference. Please do let them know in advance so they can work with you to determine the best type of class for your needs. Summer is just around the corner, and Taste Buds Kitchen oers an amazing range of camps for budding chefs of all ages, from camps that focus on the fundamentals of baking to Culinary Cocoa Camp, where young chefs will get to try their hand at everything from chocolate pasta to whoopie pies, to a Cupcake + Cookie Challenge Camp, and many more. e camps are a real breath of fresh air for kids, says Holmes, because they serve as a place where "kids are able to work together in a free and open environment where they can experiment with new avors and ingredi- ents." Kids are kept busy and also learn to cook? Now that's a camp that sells itself! Taste Buds Kitchen has been welcomed by the local community, and Holmes is more than thrilled to have been able to bring her love for cooking to Beverly's arts district, noting that the local residents have wel- comed the kitchen with open arms. Do you have what it takes to cook in a Taste Buds Kitchen? It's time to break out that apron or chef's coat, because the answer is "yes."