From sippy cups to saucepans: Junior Chefs Kitchen expands to West Loop this fall

Junior Chefs Kitchen is cooking up excitement with plans to open a new location in the vibrant West Loop neighborhood in late fall. According to the announcement, this expansion brings the beloved children's cooking studio, established by local entrepreneur Niki Cordell, to a broader audience. Aimed at youngsters aged 2 to 18, the studio focuses on building confidence and leadership while fostering healthy eating habits.

Niki Cordell, a mom of three who formerly worked in retail, real estate, and tech, founded Junior Chefs Kitchen with the vision of imparting essential life skills through cooking. "I started Junior Chefs Kitchen with a passion to empower our youth with the essential life skills of cooking and nourishing not just their bodies but their futures,”  said Cordell in the company’s press release. “The team and I are so excited to continue building our Chicago community. Seeing the brand grow so quickly has been a dream come true.” The forthcoming West Loop location at 1061 W/ Van Buren will feature a spacious 2,200+ square foot studio with two classroom spaces.

The West Loop expansion builds on the success of the original Lincoln Park location, established in November 2023. Each Junior Chefs Kitchen program is developed in cooperation with a Registered Dietitian, the announcement states, ensuring a focus on both nourishment and fun.

Read More on Chicago Star

• New WONDRA experience brings cloudscapes and forests to Woodfield Mall this September 
• Move over, Taco Tuesday: 12th Annual Lakeview Taco Fest to bring three days of feasting
• Celebrate the birthplace of House Music at the 2025 Chicago House Music Festival 
• 136 million years later—Lake sturgeon at Shedd Aquarium predate “Jurassic World” dinos  

Diverse program offerings

The studio provides an array of engaging programs. These include Seasonal Cooking Camps, where kids create their own meals and partake in team challenges. According to the press release, the new location also offers all-inclusive birthday parties with interactive themes such as Cupcake Wars and Taco Fiesta. Field trips to esteemed local restaurants and a Parents' Night Out event are also available.

Additionally, flexible semester memberships offer weekly classes, unlimited online recipe access, and special perks like free date nights. Beyond fun and cooking, Junior Chefs is committed to environmental sustainability and community engagement, prioritizing locally sourced ingredients and supporting local schools, the announcement states.

For the latest updates and to learn more about the West Loop opening, visit Junior Chefs Kitchen or connect on social media through Instagram.