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Kidinary was born from a simple but urgent belief: when kids learn to cook, everything changes.
With childhood obesity rates continuing to climb, we wanted to do something about it that didn't feel like a lecture. Not a pamphlet. Not a chart. Real food, real skills, and real fun — hands first in the kitchen, every single class.
Kidinary Cooking Academy exists to equip kids with the practical life skills they need to make healthy choices for themselves, for their families, and for the rest of their lives. One class at a time.


Kidinary is a fully mobile cooking school. We bring everything — ingredients, kid-safe knives, cutting boards, equipment, and instruction — directly to your location. Schools, churches, homeschool groups, community centers, and private homes across the Plainfield, Naperville, and Oswego area are all fair game. No commute, no drop-off, no stress.
Cooking is the vehicle. Confidence, independence, teamwork, nutrition awareness, time management — those are what kids actually take home. As they chop, mix, measure, and taste, they're building real-world skills that go far beyond the kitchen.
Every Kidinary class is held in a completely nut-free environment with allergy-friendly substitutions available. Every child is welcome at our table.
Whether your child is a Mini Chef just getting comfortable in the kitchen or a Tween Chef ready for a real challenge, our age-grouped classes are designed to grow with them — Mini Chefs (ages 4–8), Jr. Chefs (ages 8–13), and Tween Chefs (ages 11–15).


Kidinary works with families across Plainfield, Naperville, Oswego, and the greater southwest Chicago suburbs, partnering with schools, churches, and community organizations to bring cooking education directly to where kids already are.
Our current partner locations include Community Christian Church in Plainfield, Community Christian Church (Yellowbox) in Naperville, ACES Homeschool Groups in Oswego, Roots & Wings Christian Homeschool Co-Op in Frankfort, Plainfield 202 School District, and Oswego 308 School District, with more partners added regularly.
Whether you're a parent looking for after-school cooking enrichment, a school administrator exploring a culinary program, or a troop leader planning a Girl Scout badge class, Kidinary was built for your community.
Kidinary Cooking Academy's mission is to change the trend of childhood obesity by giving kids the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make healthy food decisions for life.
We believe cooking is one of the most powerful life skills a child can develop — and we're committed to making it accessible, joyful, and delicious for every kid we teach. Through our classes, children don't just learn to cook. They learn to think about what they eat, take pride in what they create, and build habits that last a lifetime.
Nutritiously delicious food. Faith. Fun.
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Jessica Jackson-Nyarko serves as Director & Lead Instructor of Kidinary Cooking Academy, where she helps carry out the academy’s mission of equipping children with cooking skills that build confidence, independence, and lifelong wellness.
With a Master’s degree in Pediatric Nutrition, as well as training through traditional culinary school coursework and a study abroad culinary program in France focused on French cooking, Jessica brings together culinary passion, nutrition expertise, and a heart for helping children grow through hands-on learning. She enjoys introducing kids to fresh ingredients, teaching creative takes on familiar favorites, and watching students gain confidence as they try new foods and develop real kitchen skills.
In her role, Jessica leads instructor training, works to develop a wide range of Kidinary’s programs, and oversees the academy’s mobile cooking experiences throughout Plainfield, Naperville, Oswego, and surrounding communities. She brings engaging classes directly to schools, churches, homeschool co-ops, scout groups, and community organizations, making high-quality cooking education accessible, practical, and memorable for children and the families who support them.
Jessica works with a wide range of age groups, including Mini Chefs, Jr. Chefs, and Tween Chefs, and supports programs for youth organizations of many kinds. Every class is nut-free, allergy-conscious, and thoughtfully designed to meet children at their individual skill levels.