Kids Baking Class: Panera Bread Invites Kids to Learn | @PaneraBread #BakersInTraining

Panera Bread® Invites California Kids to Learn the Craft of Baking

Have you been looking for a fun activity for the kids this year? Last week, I received an invitation to bring my kids to try out Panera Bread's new baking class for kids!  

In 8 Panera Bread, Los Angeles County locations, they are now offering “Bakers-in-Training” Classes.  Kids 5-12 can learn the basics in baking in a fun group setting that helps even the younger kids begin a lifetime love of baking.

The 90 minute class starts out by the kids being outfitted in their own baker's hat and apron.  They are led on a behind the scenes tour of the bakery and taught the importance of cleanliness and safety around kitchens.  

  

As part of the class, the kids learn, hands-on how to shape and score French baguettes.  While awaiting the baguettes completion, the kids are invited to decorate delicious cookies before tasting their own bread.  

The goal of the class isn't only to teach them the importance and fun of baking but also to facilitate a discussion about childhood hunger and how it effects everyone.  The French baguettes that the children make are split into two and half is donated to a local hunger relief organization through the bakery-cafe's Day-End Dough-Nation™program. 

Additionally, $5 of the $20 registration fee is donated to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to further its mission to end child hunger in America. Panera has worked to help combat the problem of hunger for over 25 years, since the company first began donating unsold bread and baked goods to local organizations.

Los Angeles Bakers in Training classes cost $20 per child and are available week day afternoons at the following Panera Bread locations for groups of 10 to 15:

• 8700 Washington Boulevard, Pico Rivera
• 15620 East Whittwood Lane, Whittier 
• 15224 Rosecrans Avenue, La Mirada 
• 135A Lakewood Center, Lakewood 
• 3521 East Foothill Boulevard, East Pasadena 
• 17501 Colima Road, City of Industry 
• 990 Town Center, La Canada 
• 21627 Valley Boulevard, Walnut 

For more information and to sign up for the Bakers-in-Training program, please visit: www.panerabread.com/bitkids.

About Panera Bread

As of December 31, 2013, there are 1,777 bakery-cafes in 45 states and in Ontario, Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® or Paradise Bakery & Cafe® names. This includes 867 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 910 Franchise-operated bakery-cafes.

We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by chicken raised without antibiotics, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans-fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.

DISCLAIMER:  We received the "Baker's In Training" class free of charge in return for helping spread the word on the new class.  All thoughts and ideas are my own.   Do not use any photos without permission.