Passion For Spices™ Team is Gearing Up For our Annual Around The World Cooking Camp 2026

We are thrilled to have our Annual Summer Camp for kids and teens in person for 2024. Passion for Spices™ Team will strictly be following the state guidelines along with our own protocols to maintain the health of our campers and the Passion for Spices™ Team. This is our 16th year of our Around the World Summer Camp. The Passion for Spices™ Team can’t wait to be with the campers and enjoy the culinary adventure.

Foods Of The World I: American RoadTrip
July 6-10

This year, we have introduced our new week, Foods of the World I: Roadtrip America, where the young chefs will explore different food and culture of different regions in the US. We will be introducing them to the Southern California, Pennsylvania Dutch, Louisiana Creole, Southeast, and Midwest food. Some of the highlights include the Louisiana Creole day, where the campers will be cooking Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, and New Orleans Bread Pudding.

Foods of the World II: Around the World
July 13-17

The Passion for Spices Team is looking to forward to welcoming the campers to a fun culinary. The second week is our International Foods of the World Week, where the young chefs will be making stops all around the globe. This year, the culinary regions that the young chefs will experience are foods from Mexico, Italy, France, Asia, and India.

Arts & Science
July 20-24

The third week of our summer cooking camp is all about the art and science of the cooking process. Our chefs will be teaching basic cooking techniques, and the young chefs will get enhanced in their skills of making various dishes including pasta, baked goods, etc. This year we will be showcasing the art and science of baking, canning, pies, cheese, and pasta.

Farm To Table
July 27-31

For the Farm to Table week, we will be showcasing local and fresh seasonal food ingredients, and utilizing them in multiple recipes. The young chefs are introduced to various fruits and vegetables, and our recipes will enhance their culinary skills as well as get them used to a variety of foods in their diet. This year we will be featuring corn, alliums, tomatoes, potatoes, and berries to the young chefs. Each day, the campers will be learning outdoor cooking methods and enjoying the abundance from the local farms.

Culinary Teen Competition
August 3-7

For our Culinary Teen Competition, we put several teams of teens to the progressive culinary test! Our professional chefs will be working with each team everyday, and each team will learn new techniques, building their skills as they go. At the end, they will increase their skills in planning, preparing, creating and presenting a 3 course meal using mystery ingredients from our seasonal "market basket" along with open access to our "community pantry." Finished dishes will be judged on presentation, use of seasonal ingredients, technique, flavor development, and teamwork. Based on their performance, teams are awarded points, with each team receiving a daily score. On the final day, daily scores will be added together and whichever team has the most points wins!

The families enjoying the food the teens prepared from the Mystery Basket given to them

As we showcase here, our young chefs ages vary from five to teen, and is organized in such a way that they learn at their appropriate levels. Our Passion for Spices™ team are well experienced professionals, who will be guiding and training the kids to get the best experience in this culinary journey.

All  of the ingredients used during the weeks of camp are organic, fresh, and non-processed. Each day we have a totally different theme, but all to show kids that their food can be delicious, healthy, and sustainably grown!

Check out the details of our Around the World Summer Camp below, including the camp brochure and registration page:

Passion for Spices™ Invites Dads to Celebrate Father's Day

At Passion for Spices™, we create food experiences and memories with families and friends. We teach techniques and classic recipes from around the world, while incorporating the highest quality, local and sustainable food ingredients. This Father's Day, we invite you to come and join a special class assigned for father’s and father-figures alike. Our culinary experiences are memorable where you cook delicious meals and break bread with your family members and friends. Our father’s deserve more than a day of appreciation, this is a tradition we want to continue and share.

Because fathers deserve more than one day of appreciation; they deserve a tradition. And what better tradition than cooking great food together?

Below are the details of some of our curated classes:

Mastering the Grill

Friday, June 19, 2026 / 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Father's Day falls on June 15th — but the celebration doesn't have to stop there. Join us on June 19th for an evening dedicated to the king of all cooking methods: the grill. From the perfect sear on a rib-eye to the bold, aromatic notes of Tandoori-spiced chicken, this class brings together global flavors and grilling techniques in a way only Passion for Spices™ can.

Menu

• Hot-Smoked Salmon with Spicy Mango Salsa

• Grilled Rib-eye Steak

• Tandoori Style Chicken

• Curried Carrot and Golden Raisin Salad

• Classic Manhattan (BYOB)

Knife Skills 101

Saturday, July 11, 2026 / 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

In this class, you'll learn basic knife skills and explore the different types of knives used in professional and home kitchens. Our chef instructors will walk you through proper grip, control, and safety, then guide you through the fundamental cuts every confident cook should know. To put your new skills to work, we'll prepare and enjoy classic dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

What to Expect

• You’ll learn the fundamental cuts: mince, dice, brunoise, batonnet, and julienne.

• You’ll learn to sharpen the knife and how to properly hold and handle a chef's knife

• Knife safety and kitchen efficiency techniques

• Hands-on practice using seasonal vegetables and herbs

More than a gift — a tradition worth keeping

A tie gets forgotten in the back of a drawer. A cooking class becomes a story Dad tells for years. At Passion for Spices™, we believe dads deserve appreciation all year long; not just one Sunday in June. Both of our Father's Day specials make for an unforgettable shared experience, and our year-round adult cooking classes mean there's always something new to learn and taste together.

for those that cannot make it to a class, We have agreat option; a gift of cooking where you can purchase a gift card to use towards future classes to choose from

Private Events

Adult Cooking Classes

Gift Cards

Whether you're coming with a spouse, a sibling, or the whole family, our classes are designed to be warm, welcoming, and a whole lot of fun. No experience necessary! All you need is a love of great food and good people. Spots fill up fast, so reserve yours today and give Dad something to remember!

Cheers to all the dads from Passion for Spices™ team!

Passion for Spices™ hosts Young Professionals Networking event

At Passion for Spices™, our cooking school has always been more than a place to learn to cook. It's a place to connect and break bread. This week, we were thrilled to open our doors to the Suburban Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Networking Group, welcoming a wonderful mix of young professionals (and not-so-young professionals) from local and neighboring communities and businesses. Guests had the opportunity to share their stories, forge new connections, and enjoy an evening of great conversation in a warm, flavorful setting.

This event was organized by the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, with a special thanks to Samantha T. Alfonso, who chairs this Young Professionals networking series for making it such a memorable gathering.

A Commitment to Community

At Passion for Spices™, our passion extends well beyond culinary education. We are deeply committed to the local community and the businesses that make our towns thrive. Our CEO and Founder, May Fridel, also serves as Vice Chair of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce — a role that reflects her belief that strong communities are built one relationship at a time.

Passion for Spices™ is a cooking school, team-building destination, and organic spice purveyor rooted right here in Summit, NJ. From hands-on adult cooking classes and corporate team-building events to kids' programs and private cooking experiences, everything we do is guided by sustainable practices and a celebration of global culinary traditions. Our mission is to provide a platform to break bread with local communities, including our business community, while sharing the knowledge of good food.

Learn more at www.passionforspices.com

📍 31 Woodland Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901

📞 (908) 380-0644

About the Suburban Chamber of Commerce

The Suburban Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business for the communities of Summit, Berkeley Heights, and New Providence in Northern Union County, New Jersey. Established in 1917, the Chamber has been a cornerstone of the local business community for over a century, connecting businesses, fostering growth, and strengthening ties between entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your professional journey, the Suburban Chamber offers a wealth of networking opportunities, resources, and events — including signature programs like First Friday breakfast gatherings and Wine Down Wednesday after-hours networking — all designed to help you grow your business and your network.

Learn more at www.suburbanchambers.org

📍 24 Beechwood Road, Suite 229, Summit, NJ 07902

📞 (908) 522-1700

✉️ info@suburbanchambers.org

Follow the Suburban Chamber of Commerce on social media:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Special Thanks to Our Guests

Our evening was kicked off by our Suburban Chamber of Commerce Chair, introducing the Young Professionals Networking Chair Samantha Alfonso, and James Kwan of Ace Pension Solutions, LLC . We were honored to have members of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce (GWACC) join us for the evening, including Mario Cesario, who serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors. Their participation is a testament to the spirit of cross-community collaboration that events like this are all about. Everyone who attended had to opportunity to share their story and showcase their business. We look forward to hosting our next event where we will engage more businesses and professionals.

Everyone enjoyed the spread of delicious appetizers from the Passion For Spices™ team. Also Jason Udrija, owner of Celestino's Pizza & Ristorante provided some of his popular bites, including his fan-favorite pizza pinwheels. Adam Brown of The Adam M. Brown Law Group, LLC, one of our board members generously provided the wine as well. Many thanks to everyone that made this evening a big success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to continuing to be a gathering place for our community — one spice, one story, and one connection at a time.

To stay up to date on events, cooking classes, and more at Passion for Spices, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or visit passionforspices.com.

Passion for Spices™ Mother's Day Wishes

An ode to all mothers everywhere

This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate the women who nourish us by sharing good food and even better company. Cooking together, whether it’s learning a new recipe, passing down a family favorite, or simply chopping ingredients side by side, creates a relaxed environment that invites conversation, laughter, and creates long-lasting memories. The simple rhythms of a shared kitchen let generations connect in a way that a store-bought gift can’t replicate. Baking sourdough isn’t just about the final loaf. It’s about nurturing something over time, watching it grow, and trusting the process. In many ways, it reflects motherhood itself.

Baking bread together becomes more than an activity; it becomes a way to remember, to honor, and to continue those traditions. Breaking bread together around the table turns those shared moments into lasting stories. A home-cooked meal made with love is a meaningful way to honor mothers and mother figures, and it’s a skill that keeps giving long after the day is over.

Passion for Spices™ celebrates the beauty of families coming together through food. Our sustainable approach emphasizes slowing down, being present, and sharing experiences that matter. Consider gifting an experience with Passion for Spices™ this year; a cooking class is the perfect, joy-filled way to spend quality time and create new traditions together. Click here to purchase a gift card.

This Mother’s Day weekend, we invite you to join us for a special sourdough baking class. Come experience the joy of making and breaking bread, and create memories that will rise and last far beyond the kitchen.

We have a perfect gift for mothers Day! Please click here to buy our gift cards!

Please check out our Adult Cooking Classes HERE.

Cheers to all mothers from our team at Passion for Spices™.

Passion for Spices™ Team Wishes Everyone a Happy Easter and Passover

Passion for Spices™ wishes everyone a Happy Easter and Passover. We are looking forward to celebrating the upcoming spring season with nature’s abundance from local farmers, spending time outside and in the kitchen creating recipes and enjoying meals with family and friends, and sharing our recipes and methods with our community to encourage healthier eating!

Please enjoy this complimentary menu and recipes from the Passion for Spices™ team you can use for your Easter or Passover celebrations, or at any other upcoming special event this spring season!

Spring Menu

Curried Deviled Eggs
Spring on a Plate
Flavorful Roasted Leg of Lamb with Gremolata Sauce
Spiced Carrot Cupcake

Upcoming Spring Cooking Class

We have several upcoming spring cooking classes, a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends or to meet some new people this spring season, including our Celebrate Easter Mediterranean Style class coming up on Saturday, April 4, from 6PM to 8:30PM.

We will be creating a spring-inspired menu from scratch that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends at your Easter table or any other upcoming special occasion this spring season. Our experienced chef instructors will provide hands-on cooking instruction and teach participants about ingredients, cooking techniques, and the cooking process. Register now before it’s too late!