Meet me in the kitchen

"Let the child be the guide" is a foundational principle of the Montessori-based approach at Little Kitchen Academy, and Maya's story proves how much good can happen when you do. Maya's experience at Little Kitchen Academy was positive, but she and her mom, Lucia, knew how it could be better moving forward. Hear how this mother and daughter helped LKA become an even more inclusive and more equitab...

Chris Connor never predicted his path would lead him to working with Little Kitchen Academy, but Chris would be the first to tell you that his path was completely unpredictable. Find out how a rugby tryout and picking up a pamphlet off the ground turned into a successful career in Commercial Real Estate and which country Chris represented in snowboarding.

Once on track for a career in marketing and advertising, Aline Vieira followed her heart in another direction, eventually leading her north from Brazil to British Columbia, where she found an opportunity that compelled her to stay. Hear how creating a game in university was the catalyst for Aline becoming the Director of Little Kitchen Academy at Point Grey in Vancouver.

Ian MacDonald is living proof that the road of life can take you wonderful places if you simply pay attention to the signs along the way. Ian’s incredible career has seen him introduce multiple innovations within the ski industry, outfit the Olympics many times over, and create an award-winning winery. Learn how a mesmerizing pair of shoes lead to Ian becoming both an investor and an Advisory Boar...

Nik and Jaime Green are the talented couple behind the beautiful videos produced for Little Kitchen Academy. While their work has taken them to exotic locations and the homes of celebrities, capturing the genuine, organic development of children at LKA is every bit as fulfilling as their high profile projects. Find out how a dare was the gateway into their vocation and which NBA star Nik put on th...

To mark our 20th episode, we invited a special student and his mother to share their story of how Little Kitchen Academy has impacted their lives. Andrea found LKA when Lucca was grappling with the effects of food trauma, and her emotional conversation with Felicity led to enrolling her son in classes. Hear how Little Kitchen Academy has made a world of difference for both Lucca and his family.

Caroline Irving wears multiple hats at Little Kitchen Academy; she’s a global investor, the area representative for Ontario, and the owner of the Little Kitchen Academy in Vaughn. Caroline and her husband, Mike Downie, joined Scott for arguably the most wide-ranging conversation to date, one that includes their shared pursuit of lifelong learning, how LKA aligns with their values, and the profound...

In a world of impersonal transactions, Stephanie Devlin is all about memorable experiences. She’s honed her customer service skills in the restaurant industry and brings her enthusiasm for people to Little Kitchen Academy. Steph owns a restaurant, oversees support and compliance for LKA franchises, and has a passion for helping children and youth regardless of circumstance.

Praveen Varshney prides himself on supporting people with purpose, which is why he’s been invested in Little Kitchen Academy since the beginning. A big believer in family, community, health, and wellness, Praveen saw a concept that aligned with his values and jumped at the opportunity to be involved. Hear about his unique interview process, which acronyms he’s trademarked, and how having children...

It’s a holiday edition of Meet Me in the Kitchen as we’ve brought a variety of voices together to celebrate. A dozen different guests appear on this special compilation, which is focused on the theme of family. From our family to yours, happy holidays!

Walk into any Little Kitchen Academy and you can’t help but notice the living food wall. Powered by Aerogarden, this beautiful, fragrant source of organic herbs and produce provides students with fresh ingredients for their recipes and an education in sustainability. Tina Edwards explains how easy and rewarding it is to become a green thumb, and why Little Kitchen Academy has grown on her so quick...

Empowering children to change their lives and those of others in a positive manner is Little Kitchen Academy’s North Star. Though Yuri Fulmer didn’t have the privilege of attending LKA, his story also began with an infusion of self-belief via the food industry. His rags to riches story is extremely compelling, but it’s Yuri’s commitment to providing better opportunities for others that fills his c...

Rarely does a father follow in his son’s footsteps, but that’s exactly what Steve Anthony is doing after his son Charlie starred in the preceding episode of the podcast. Steve is the Head of School at West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver and has multiple connections to Little Kitchen Academy. From teaching his own kids to rocking out in his kitchen, Steve openly shares his stories, opinions and pa...

The purpose of Little Kitchen Academy is to empower its students and those they come in contact with; Charlie Anthony is living proof of that mission. Charlie’s gone from being a student attending teen night classes to an instructor as he pursues a career in teaching. Hear how he’s influenced his university housemates with his cooking, how students have influenced him at Little Kitchen Academy, an...

Children rave about the dishes they create at Little Kitchen Academy, and while every creation is unique, each one is based on a thoughtfully prepared recipe. Natalia Ordoñez oversees those recipes as the Recipe and Curriculum Manager, but her imprint on the fabric of Little Kitchen Academy stretches far beyond that title. Her infectious spirit brightens whatever room she’s in, while her global up...

Every member of the Rintoul family has played a role in Little Kitchen Academy’s evolution. Abigail and Emily are students themselves and are featured in many of Little Kitchen’s promotional materials. Fiona is LKA’s Global Director of Partner Support and Training. Scott hosts and produces this podcast series. So what happens when dad brings his family to work? Find out if parenting and podcasting...

Many a great idea has been hatched over dinner, but very few have turned into something to eat a dinner on. Felix Böck is the man behind the beautiful community table found in every Little Kitchen Academy, a table that symbolizes many of the values that both he and LKA stand for. From his unconventional method of learning English to his unwavering affection for bamboo, Felix explains how a boy fro...

It’s not that far from his family’s grocery store in Richmond to the campus at the University of British Columbia, but Rickey Yada has come a long way in becoming the Academic Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. His journey has given him extensive knowledge of the multitude of advancements in the food industry, yet as Rickey explains, getting back to our roots may provide the best...

A Montessori guide walks into an oyster bar and… well, that’s not exactly true, but it makes for a great opening line! When Hayley Sexton and Eamon Clark discovered the Little Kitchen Academy website, they knew they had found their calling. The couple has a wealth of experience from the two worlds that Little Kitchen Academy fuses together, and is proud to be operating LKA The Beach in their own c...

Michelle Marin is a recent graduate of the UBC Dietetics program and has a passion for health and wellness. Michelle entered Little Kitchen Academy via her practicum placement while completing her degree and shares her perspective on how Little Kitchen Academy’s approach is informing the next generation about food. Michelle was courageous and vulnerable enough to divulge the negative relationship...

Growing up vegetarian wasn’t always easy. Nor was fitting into a restaurant industry that seemed to lack acceptance and compassion. It was enough to cause Avery Fletcher to rethink choosing a culinary career. But thanks to a stint in spinning, a cross-country move, and an application for a part-time job, the Director of Little Kitchen Academy at Westfield Century City believes he has found his pla...

There’s not much Cat Cora has left to do in the culinary world. The first female to achieve Iron Chef status has worked in kitchens all around the globe, authored a book, and been inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame, all while smashing glass ceilings along the way. So why was someone in such high demand so eager to be a part of Little Kitchen Academy?? Cat reveals that answer, explains how her...

Before Little Kitchen Academy was even a concept, it was inadvertently being created in the Curin kitchen with their three young girls. Bronwyn, Gabriella, and Gwendolyn helped Felicity discover the key ingredients to creating independent children, and they’ve grown into remarkable young women. The Curin girls dish on the journey from students to teachers, getting “Little Kitchened” at home, and h...

Every step that Little Kitchen Academy takes is supported by the world’s most iconic footwear brand, BIRKENSTOCK , thanks to David Kahan . The CEO of BIRKENSTOCK Americas talks shoes, Springsteen, and synergy, explaining why Little Kitchen Academy is such a great fit for him on a number of levels. Find out which ingredient is always in his kitchen and which tv show he recommends to everyone.

It’s the inaugural episode of Meet Me in the Kitchen, and who better to talk to than the founders of Little Kitchen Academy, Felicity and Brian Curin. The couple shares a few laughs with their brother in-law, Scott Rintoul, before diving into the story behind the creation of Little Kitchen Academy . Felicity and Brian share personal anecdotes about their family, talk about navigating the challenge...