New Kids Cooking Classroom To Open Summer 2026 in Wappingers

There's about to be a crop of newly trained chefs in town, and i'm predicting they might be the most adorable you've ever seen. A kids culinary classroom is in the works in Wappingers, with a target opening after the 4th of July!

Future Chefs Culinary Classroom Concept

For the past 30 years, Jeana Fanelli has been working in childcare, currently serving as the owner/director of Little Explorers Nursery & Daycare in New Paltz. Originally from Wappingers, Fanelli, like some of us can likely relate to, grew up in a family that gathered around the table not just to eat, but for family connection and conversation.

Fanelli was 'looking to do something different' yet still continue to interact with children which brings us to today, and a new child-centered business. Though she'll continue to serve as owner of the childcare, Fanelli will soon focus her attention on a new business, Future Chefs Culinary Classroom!

Children learn best through hands on experience. Cooking builds confidence, independence, and creativity. Food brings families and cultures together!

Giving students the opportunity to learn, create and explore in a safe, fun environment, that is what Future Chefs Culinary Classroom will offer children and their families.

Creating the culinary classroom is also a reflection of my personality, creative, nurturing, and community focused. I want to create an experience children will remember, not just a service parents pay for.

The goal is for the space to open in early July in what was the former Jade Palace in the Hannoush Plaza in Wappingers.

SEE ALSO: What Happened In This Wappingers Plaza?

Preparing For The Culinary Classroom

Fanelli's son Dylan, a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC, plans to be involved in the day-to-day classes of the Culinary Classroom, sharing his outlook that 'showing the youth that food is more then just for taste and hunger, but also a path to art.'

Dylan has worked in several restaurants throughout Ulster Co. creating meals and following recipes filling the bellies and hearts of many! Dylan will also be helping me create menus for our classes and operating the commercial kitchen equipment. Our passion for good, healthy food, children, and family will be our driving force behind this adventure!

While Fanelli and her son Dylan will be the primary instructors at first, and they'll expand their culinary team based on enrollment. They plan to offer weekly child/parent classes, pop-up classes, teen classes and birthday parties while also inviting schools and camps in for sessions in the culinary classroom.

Family Support Systems Will Run Through This Local Business

Fanelli is all about the support of and from family, and setting a positive example for her children. In addition to Dylan, Jeana is also mom to Nicholas, 23 and through this new venture, wants to show her sons that reaching your goals is not impossible.

In addition to her sons, Fanelli also has her husband as part of her support team, and shared that her late dad also serves as an inspiration for the concept of this new business.

You have one life to write your story and leave your mark in the community. You cannot be afraid to do something. I hope to be an inspiration for my 2 boys as well as other children.

Cooking is not just about preparing food, it is a way to connect, share joy and comfort. My goal is to inspire children and families to take a step back a little bit and gather around the table, enjoy homemade meals, and create memories. It is something both of my parents taught me!

Follow along with new developments for the Future Chefs Culinary Classroom here, and be on the lookout for an update with grand opening information when it becomes available!