Northshore's Best:
- Cooking School, 2012 - 2019
- Kids' Party Venue, 2012, 2013, 2015
- Kids' Summer Camp, 2015
EDGE of the Lake Awards:
- Best Cooking Classes, 2017 - 2019
Active Partnership, Outstanding Employer Award, 2014
West St. Tammany YMCA Northshore Heroes, 2013
West St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce "Out of the Gate Running" Business Appreciation Award, 2013
National SCORE Outstanding Innovative Small Business of the Year - 2013
Sherri Hansen, founder and owner of Culinary Kids, has been chosen as this year's National SCORE Outstanding Innovative Small Business of the Year sponsored by Verisign and given by The SCORE Foundation. Sherri was presented with her award on Thursday, August 15, 2013, in Dallas, TX at the SCORE National Leadership Conference. Culinary Kids was honored for demonstrating unique vision, innovation and achievement as an Outstanding Innovative Small Business.
Culinary Kids received this award based on their successful small business growth and hard work every day. Some of the successes of Culinary Kids include:
- Creating partnerships with fellow small businesses
- Donating time and resources to local non-profit organizations
- Fostering healthy lifestyle choices by community members
Juggling a husband with a full-time career as an emergency helicopter pilot and raising 4 boys between the ages of 1 and 8 is a tall order for any family. Add buying and growing a business venture to the mix and only the strong will survive. Sherri and Larry Hansen have done just that, growing Culinary Kids into a thriving business that truly has a positive impact on its community. From a simple childhood memory of working together in the kitchen alongside her mother and Grandma, Sherri envisioned a place where family and friends could connect over meals—a place where people of all ages and walks of life could participate in the cooking process and experience the traditional values of family and friendships amidst the face pace world we live in. This is an ever-expanding business that reaches children, adults, the community of people with special needs, those with dietary restrictions and allergies and even other regional businesses in need of creative teambuilding retreats…all served at the table! We congratulate Sherri and her ability to drive the concept forward and serve the community’s needs through fun, creative programs that impact families every day.
According to Sherri Hansen, "We sought SCORE support just as we opened our business (as we knew) we needed assistance to make it work but would not be able to afford a hired coach. SCORE was the answer to our challenges. We would not have received this award without this support. Our SCORE mentor, Mack Deloney, has taken our passion and anxious energies and given us professional focus to help us achieve our goals. Our business is fueled by our heart but our mentor helps us see the clear picture of success based on logical principles that allow us to be financially sustainable."
SCORE CEO Ken Yancey says, "Innovation is so important to the success of a small business and to the prosperity of our country as a whole. New business models, like that of Culinary Kids, LLC, inspire us to think outside the box about how to address societal needs and provide profitable solutions to our communities."
New small business owner Sherri’ Hansen of Culinary Kids named Enterprising Woman of the Year by Sophisticated Woman Magazine
Friday, 12 April 2013
New family-owned business, Culinary Kids, received accolades once again as owner and director Sherri Hansen was named Enterprising Woman of the Year by Sophisticated Woman Magazine. The honor was announced at the Hats Off luncheon featuring keynote speaker Lauren Thom of Fleurty Girl and a silent auction benefitting the St. Tammany Parish Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide.
With the first year of the new business behind them, Hansen and Culinary Kids received hundreds of votes from the community and accepted the award at last week’s luncheon.
“We’re amazed…we’ve served over 5,500 people and families within our first year and are honored that they have come to know our mission and support us in such a way,” Hansen said.
Culinary Kids is no ordinary cooking venue and it’s not just for kids. Professional staff mentor and develop confidence in young people, offer exciting events for adults and seniors in the community, support numerous non-profit organizations for children and schools in the area, and encourage the growth of other local businesses. “It’s about connecting people” said Manager Jody Tharp, “We bring children, families, businesses…all kinds of people together at the table to spend quality time, learn healthy choices and enrich each other’s lives.”
Hansen brings more than 20 years of community programming experience and youth mentorship to Mandeville. Before opening Culinary Kids, she traveled with her military husband and served communities in three states, developing a new Boys and Girls Club in Washington, YMCA Youth Fitness programs in Virginia, and she even served as a professional educator with the San Diego Zoo. Now home in Mandeville with her husband and four young boys, she contributes to the community, developing programs by request. “We continually seek input on what programs are needed in our area, and our special needs classes will be next to expand.”
Culinary Kids offers classes for people with special needs to cook up independent, life and social skills. A professional team including local teachers, chefs and paraprofessionals guide people of all abilities and ages through recipe creation, etiquette and developmentally appropriate activities. Volunteers are needed to assist in these unique classes. Call 727-5553 for information.
Culinary Kids is a new, family-owned business educating the community through field trips, birthday parties, scout badges, cooking classes for children and adults, custom corporate events and more. Culinary Kids encourages healthy choices and caters to dietary restrictions and allergens.