August Aurora Cooks 2023

AURORA COOKS

Our cooking classes are designed to develop agespecific skills, promote community, demystify scratch cooking across cultures, and promote fruit and vegetable consumption. We can help you become a confident home cook with our approach to cooking: empowering, practical and fun!

We can’t wait to cook with you!

-The Aurora Cooks Team

PARENT/TOT

Curriculum designed for youth ages 3-6 accompanied by an adult 18 years or older • $35/pair

BREAKFAST IN AGRABAH: ALADDIN & FRIENDS

PACK A PICNIC

Come join us and prepare a fun picnic spread and then take it out into the park and enjoy it with your little one.

Menu: Chicken and Avocado Pita Pockets, Homemade Graham

Crackers with a Whipped Cinnamon Dip, and a Strawberry Sparkle Punch.

66722 Aug. 5

• Sat., 10-11:30 a.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

TOY STORY BRUNCH

You’ve got a friend in Aurora Cooks to infinity and beyond! Andy is gone and it’s time for Woody and the toy crew to help us cook an unforgettable brunch.

Menu: Bacon Alien Egg Bites, Little Bo Peep Pancakes, Mini Twice Baked Mr. Potato Heads

66723 Aug. 12

• Sat., 9-10:30 a.m.

• Central Recreation Center

Abu “borrowed” some ingredients from the market and it’s up to YOU to help make Aladdin and Jasmine breakfastno help from Genie. Catch a ride on a magic carpet and fly into the kitchen to make some fun and super yummy food fit for a sultan!

Menu: Turkey Sausage Magic Carpet

Breakfast Pizzas, Abu’s Nutella Animal Toast, Three Wishes Magic Potion

66724 Aug. 19

• Sat., 9-10:30 a.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

POOH’S PICNIC

Have a rumbly in your tumbly? Grab your little Roo’s for this cooking class where we will be preparing the perfect picnic for Winnie the Pooh, the most loved bear of the hundred-acre woods.

Menu: Hundred Arce Wood Trail Mix, Pooh Bear Nut Butter and Hunny Tea Sandwiches, Rabbit’s Garden Veggies and Piglet’s Pink Lemonade.

66725 Aug. 26

• Sat., 10-11:30 a.m.

• Central Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

PARENT/FAMILY

Curriculum designed for youth ages 6-12 accompanied by an adult 18 years or older • $55/pair

DONUT SHOP

Master the art of donut frying, baking, and glazing!

Menu: Blueberries and Cream Filled

Donuts, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Donuts, and Maple Donuts

66726 Aug. 5

• Sat., 10 a.m.-noon

• Central Recreation Center

COOK LIKE GUSTEAU

HELP NEEDED! There has been an incident and none of the cooks showed up to work and Chef Guesteau needs your cooking skills. Join us and remember that “anyone can cook but only the fearless are great.”

Menu: Remy’s Ratatouille Puff Pastry

Tart, Homemade Creamy Lemon

Fettuccine Alfredo and Cheesecake

Pops for Dessert

62646 May 20

• Sat., 3-5 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

MAKE IT LIKE NONNA

Make some friends and a fresh Italian restaurant meal that would make your Italian Grandma pinch your cheeks. Join us for the perfect plate of spaghetti.

Menu: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Classic

Marinara, Italian Green Beans and Cheesy Garlic Bread

66728 Aug. 19

• Sat., 3-5 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

COFFEE SHOP CREATIONS

Who doesn’t love a coffee shop treat to enjoy on a nice day? Come learn how to make some favorites with us.

Menu: Strawberry Crumb Muffins, Blueberry Scones with Homemade Whipped Cream & White Chocolate

Macadamia Nut Biscotti

66729 Aug. 19

• Sat., 12:30-2:30 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

SET ADRIFT

Lei back and drift away with us onto the beaches with this Tiki inspired meal.

Menu: Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Kabobs with a Sesame and Scallion

Relish, Coconut Jasmine Rice and Dole Whip for Dessert.

66730 Aug. 25

• Fri., 6-8 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

FRYBREAD FEAST

A taco by any other name... crispy, chewy and complex in flavor. Join us as we dive into this Native American staple.

Menu: Beef Navajo Tacos topped with a Green Chile Crème and an Osage

Hominy Salsa, and Fry Bread Nuggets with Wojapi for dessert

66768 Aug. 31

• Thu., 6-8 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

KIDS

Curriculum designed for youth ages 6-9 • $30/person

STREET TACOS AND TAQUITOS

Tick-tock it’s taco time. Salsa on down to make tortillas and new friends.

Menu: Chicken Tacos Al Pastor, Tomatillo Salsa, Banana Honey

Almond Butter Dessert Taquitos with Cinnamon Chocolate Sauce

66733 Aug. 12

• Sat., 12:30-2:30 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

CUPCAKE CREATIONS

Channel your inner Pastry Chef and join us in making some show stopping cupcakes.

Menu: Chocolate Pretzel Cupcakes with Pretzel Butter, Chocolate Icing and Pretzel Bark

66732 Aug. 12

• Sat., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

COOKIES AND LEMONADE

Join us for an afternoon of cookie baking fun with a glass of refreshing lemonade to wash it all down!

66734 Aug. 26

• Sat., 10 a.m.-noon

• Moorhead Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS JUNIOR CHEF

Curriculum designed for youth ages 10-14

• $30/person

I DONUT CARE

Give your bored teenager something to do. All we need is U and we can turn don’ts into DONUTS.

Menu: Raised Donut Holes w/ Lemon Blueberry Custard, Churro Donuts w/ Cream Cheese Frosting and Peaches

N Berries Fruit Salsa

66740 Aug. 26

• Sat., 2-4 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

CHIMICHANGA

MEXICAN FIESTA

Take your family on a delicious trip south of the border!

Menu: Beef Enchiladas, Elote Corn Salad & Tres Leches Cupcakes

66739 Aug. 5

• Sat., 2-4 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

Not only is “chimichanga” fun to say, it’s also REALLY fun to make. Learn the basics of making some of your favorite Mexican dishes!

Menu: Oven Fried Chicken Chimichanga w/ Salsa Verde, Spanish Rice, Homemade Black Beans and a Watermelon Limeade

66741 Aug. 26

• Sat., 2-4 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

TEEN

Curriculum designed for youth ages 15-18 • $35/person

DINNER AT HOGWARTS

The professors of Hogwarts have summoned all wizards, magical creatures and muggles for a dinner in the Great Hall! Learn to make dinner fit for Dumbledore!

Menu: Cornish Pasties (Steak Pot

Pie), Golden Snitch Curry Zucchini

SUSHI 101

Join us as we teach you everything you need to know about rolling your OWN sushi!

Menu: Spicy Edamame, Rainbow Veggie Roll, California Roll, finished with Coconut Ice Cream

66742 Aug. 5

• Sat., 2-4:30 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

THORBURGER

Transform your kitchen into a diner fit for the God of Thunder himself.

Menu: Mjolnir Smashed Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions and Thunder Sauce, Asgard Home Fries, Lightning Struck Malted Milkshake

66745 Aug. 4

• Fri., 6-8:30 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

Fritters and Homemade Butterbeer

Scathe Pudding with Chocolate Frog

Pretzel Crumble

66743 Aug. 12

• Sat., 3-5:30 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA

Let’s explore the “Windy City’s” classic pizza style and take pizza night to a new level.

Menu: Pepperoni and Cheese Deep Dish Pizza, Roasted Garlic Broccoli, Marinara and a Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

66747 Aug. 19

• Sat., 10:30-1 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

ADULT 18+

Curriculum designed for adults ages 18 years and older • $40/person

GNOCCHI YOURSELF OUT

See just how versatile gnocchi can be! With our step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to make this fancy dish with some ease.

NEW MEXICAN CUISINE

Join us for a fun a delicious cooking class where your taste buds will be transported to New Mexico, the land of enchantment.

Menu: Green Chile Chicken

Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Calabacitas, Sopapillas with Whipped Cinnamon

Honey Butter

66748 Aug. 3

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

SPICE, SPICE, BABY

Breaking News! There have been recent reports of record-breaking temperatures here in Flavor Town. If you can’t beat the heat, get IN our kitchen and join us to prepare some haute and delicious dishes. Spice, Spice, Baby!

Menu: Ancho Chile Flourless Chocolate

Cake, Fiery Shrimp Diabla w/ Charred

Garlic Bread, Spicy Cucumber Salad w/ Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

66750 Aug. 17

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

Menu: Ricotta Gnocchi with Basil Pesto and Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Vodka Cream Sauce

66751 Aug. 18

• Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

HOLY MOLE

Together we will de-mystify this Oaxacian favorite and bring the complexity of mole into your own kitchen.

Menu: Chicken Mole, Cilantro Lime Rice, Esquites (Mexican Corn Salsa)

66752 Aug. 24

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

OH MY SHAWARMA!

We’ve heard that shawarma is the epitome of middle eastern cuisine. Join us in making this takeout favorite.

Menu: Beef Shawarma, Homemade Naan and Roasted Cauliflower with a Tahini Sauce

66753 Aug. 31

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

ADULT 21+

Curriculum designed for adults ages 21 years and older • $45/person

CUBAN FLAVORS & MOJITOS

Ready for a summer night in Havana? Grab a fresh mojito and let us transport you to the wildly flavorful, Spanish, African and Caribbean blended cuisine of Cuba. Learn to prepare some traditional Cuban dishes that will have your taste buds doing the mambo!

Menu: Picadillo, Crispy Tostones, Avocado Mango Salad and Strawberry Mint Mojito

66754 Aug. 3

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

STREET TACOS AND MARGARITAS

Turn any night into Taco Tuesday! In this hands-on class you will learn how to make your favorite street tacos at home.

Menu: Carnita Tacos with Homemade

Corn Tortillas, Quick-Pickled Red

Onions and Salsa Roja

66766 Aug. 3

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

TAPAS & SANGRIA

Join us for an ice-cold fruit filled sangria and learn to make some outstanding Spanish tapas.

Menu: Spanish Tortilla w/ Lemon Herb Aioli, Fiery Garlic Shrimp w/ Charred

Bread and Sangria

66755 Aug. 4

• Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

SUSHI WORKSHOP

Learn the ins and outs of sushi rolling in this hands-on class.

Menu: Spicy Edamame, Spicy Tuna

Dragon Roll, Philadelphia Roll, finished with Coconut Ice Cream

66756 Aug. 10

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

GREEKIN’ OUT

Attention cooks and food geeks, it is time to make dinner and tonight we’ll make it GREEK. In this class we will explore some Mediterranean flavors with a fun and flavorful menu. Join us and change up your normal weeknight dinner and let’s Greek Out.

Menu: Spinach and Feta Stuffed

Lamb Meatballs, Mediterranean Orzo

Salad, Spanakopita

66757 Aug. 11

• Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

PUB GRUB

Craving a cold one and some pub bites? Join us in this class where we will prepare just that.

Menu: Green Chili Brew Stew, with Homemade Tortillas, plus Churro Donuts and Porter Ice Cream for dessert

66758 Aug. 17

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

INDIAN STREET FOOD

Enjoy an Indian Spiced Mojito and join us as we explore the vibrant flavors of Indian street food, learning to harness the power of spices and prepare traditional dishes.

Menu: Chaat Samosa: Homemade Fried Samosa topped with Chana Masala, Yogurt Drizzle, with Jal Jeera Mojitos

66759 Aug. 18

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

POLISH PIEROGIS & BEER

A true taste of Poland! In this class, you will learn how to make these wonderfully savory dumplings.

Menu: Potato and Cheese Pierogis with Brown Butter Sage Sauce, Apple Pie-rogies and Mizeria (polish Cucumber Salad)

66760 Aug. 24

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

HOLY RAVIOLI

Learn next level pasta skills to master this heaven sent, pillow-like stuffed pasta.

Menu: Fried Artichoke Hearts with Italian Herb Aioli, sausage

Parmigiana Ravioli in Red Sauce, Italian Chop Salad with Red Raspberry Vinaigrette, Roasted Cherry Lemon Ice Cream

66767 Aug. 24

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

WHISKEY BUSINESS

Enjoy & prepare an elegant whiskeyinspired meal. Don’t take a chance on dinner, we have your back. Leave the whiskey business to us.

Menu: Coriander and Fennel

Rubbed Pork Loin with a Whiskey Pan Sauce, Ginger Mashed Carrots & Individual Maple & Whiskey Pudding Cakes for dessert

66761 Aug. 25

• Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

TIPSY TAMALE

Grab a freshly made paloma and gather around the tamale steamer. In this class, we will master the basics of homemade tamales. Please join us for a fun-filled cooking class, where we will surely be having too “masa” fun.

Menu: Chicken Tinga Tamales, Salsa

Roja, Curtido (Mexican Slaw) and a Margarita to drink

66762 Aug. 31

• Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

AURORA COOKS

Cooking birthday parties

YOUTH AGES 6 AND OLDER $350 FOR 10 PARTICIPANTS

Become a chef on your next birthday and cook up a party with Aurora Cooks! Enjoy a 2-hour party where our talented chef/instructors will guide children through their choice of menu in our state-of-theart teaching kitchens. The last 20-30 minutes of the party will be reserved for enjoying the delicious meal they’ve worked so hard to create. We invite additional family members back to the kitchen during this time to open gifts and sample what the kids have cooked up! The guest of honor receives an Aurora Cooks apron and all guests receive recipe packets to take home.

For availability and booking information, email: auroracooks@auroragov.org

Central Recreation Center

18150 E. Vassar Place • 720.859.4999

Expo Recreation Center

10955 E. Exposition Ave. • 303.326.8630

Moorhead Recreation Center

2390 Havana St. • 303.326.8315

Menu Options:

Dim Sum Gyoza, Egg Rolls, Fried Rice

Aurora Cooks Justice League

Gone in a Flash Meatballs, Daughters of Themyscira Carrot Spears, Bat-arang brownies

Italian Pasta Homemade Pasta and Sauce (Marinara or Alfredo), Pesto

Tossed Roasted Vegetables

Mexican Fiesta

Chicken Tacos, Salsa and Guacamole with Baked Chips

Pizza, Pizza! Individual Pizzas, Homemade Sauce & Dough, Crispy

Zucchini Fries

Cupcake Mania Unicorn Cupcakes, Triple Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes, Buttercream and Toppings

Additional Items and Pricing:

• Fruit Pizza: $5/child

• Cookie Sundaes: $5/child

• Mini Whisks: $3/child

After your cooking birthday party ends, enjoy the rest of our recreation center!

Swim passes are available at Moorhead and Central locations for a discounted fee.