Stew Leonard’s Cooking in January

Stew Leonard’s Newington, Conn., store will hold two new cooking classes for children between the ages of 5 and 12 this month. The kids will receive hands-on instruction in preparing various dishes, in addition to learning how to measure, cooperation in the kitchen and why food safety is so important.

The fee is per child per class, and payable at the time of registration. Classes will take place in Stew Leonard’s Executive Kitchen on the second floor of the Newington store. Child participants don’t have to be accompanied by a grownup.

The first class, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 13, Jan. 20 and Jan. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., is Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner. Stew’s chefs will teach kids how to make meatballs from scratch, along with marinara sauce. Participants will also create a buttery spread for garlic bread and discover how to set a proper table. One parent or older sibling is invited to share the spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner with their child at 7 p.m. The price is $25 per child per class. Each class is limited to 10 children.

Slated for Monday, Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kids’ Day Off! encourages youngsters to crazy for cupcakes on their day off from school. Kids will make tie-dyed cupcakes from scratch and have fun with the different colors of cake batter and frosting. The price is $15 per child.

Parents must pre-register at Stew Leonard's customer service desk for either class.