Sensory-Based Cooking Program for NYC District 75 Learners
Sensory-based cooking and nutrition that supports every learning style.
Food Explorers
Tastemakers
Sensory Kitchen
Family Table
Edible Kitchen
Sun, Soil & Sky
Professional Development Workshops
Sensory Kitchen
A hands-on sensory cooking and nutrition program for NYC students, designed to support diverse learning styles, build confidence, and create positive, inclusive food experiences.
Program Overview
Sensory Kitchen uses hands-on cooking to support students with diverse learning styles, creating a safe, engaging environment to explore food through touch, taste, smell, and sight. Each session builds confidence, communication, and independence while introducing foundational nutrition concepts in a way that meets students where they are. Ideal for D75 programs, special education settings, and inclusive classrooms. Adaptable to a wide range of abilities, the program helps students develop a positive relationship with food through structured, sensory-rich experiences.
Chef Anastasia was sure to review key words have students repeat them. ENL students so need this.
We loved this residency. The kids enjoyed it. It helped some of my pickier eaters try new things. It also taught them easy healthy eating. I hope to see you next year!
Chef Anastasia is awesome, engaging, & amazing with the kids. Patience of a saint!
My students and I Loveeeeeee this class =)
Program Details
Sensory Kitchen is a 45-60min in-school program that offers calming, multi-sensory cooking experiences tailored for high-needs SPED classrooms. Students explore textures, smells, and tastes while preparing simple, healthy recipes that support motor skills, communication, and self-expression.
Every session is built around simplicity, routine, and success, using adaptive tools, visual prompts, and recipes designed for a joyful, inclusive space where every student can engage and succeed.
Topics Include
Sensory exploration: smell, touch, sound, sight, taste
Food textures, colors, and temperatures
Motor development from peeling, mixing, chopping
IEP and SEL aligned goals through cooking routines
Social-emotional learning through food
Format
- In-person at NYC schools during the school day
- All tools, ingredients, and visual supports provided
- Instruction pacing tailored to each class
- Workstations for every student
Sample lesson plan
“Taste the Rainbow Skewers”
Objective: Build knife skills, color recognition, and sensory vocabulary while learning about the benefits of eating the rainbow.
Standards Alignment: Common Core ELA (speaking, listening, reading), Health Ed (nutrition), Math (fractions, measurements)
Activities
Sensory Warm-up: Explore the Rainbow Chart. Students touch, smell, and name fruits and vegetables from each color group, describing textures and tastes.
Prep: Students use safe, adaptive tools to peel, slice, and cut a variety of fruits and vegetables provided.
Challenges: Take turns spinning the Rainbow Wheel. When it lands on a color, each student selects a fruit or vegetable in that color and adds it to their skewer. Repeat until each skewer features a full rainbow.
Wrap-up: Students share their finished skewers and describe each piece using sensory words (e.g., “squishy,” “juicy,” “crunchy”). Reflect on which colors were more flavorful and what nutrients they offer.
Chef Anastasia was sure to review key words have students repeat them. ENL students so need this.
We loved this residency. The kids enjoyed it. It helped some of my pickier eaters try new things. It also taught them easy healthy eating. I hope to see you next year!
Chef Anastasia is awesome, engaging, & amazing with the kids. Patience of a saint!
My students and I Loveeeeeee this class =)
Bring The Joy of Hands-On Learning
Back to Your School
