I’ve known Chef Christine for about a year now – we’re not besties, but we operate in intersecting circles around town. Plus, we’re friends on Facebook, which makes you feel as though you know someone better than you truly do in real life. A good acquaintance. Know what I mean?

The Chef Christine I’m talking about is the Chef Christine that owns and operates The Kitchen Studio Cooking School in Frederick, MD. She has a professional culinary background (which includes fancy-pants French cooking school), but decided on a change of pace a few years ago and shifted gears to open The Kitchen Studio. The motto on the front of her website?

“Like to play with your food? Come on in!”

And that saying couldn’t be more true. Unlike some of the cooking studios out there, Chef Christine’s business isn’t helping you to make a freezer full of dinners to last a month. Instead, her focus is to have you and some friends spend a couple of hours making really fun food, learning some great tips and tricks in the kitchen, and then relax and enjoy your beautifully prepared meal.

I recently visited for a corporate team building event, and my teammates and I cooked a fabulous meal which included things like twice baked potatoes and goat cheese medallions. (YUM!) There’s something wonderful about spending time with your friends (yes, my co-workers also happen to be friends – it’s a beautiful thing!), cooking a meal, and enjoying it together family-style. But, if you’re looking for more of a challenge, The Kitchen Studio’s most popular custom session is called “Mystery Basket Challenge” – think the Food Network‘s “Chopped.” Awesome. Enough said.

The Kitchen Studio also offers other great options for grown-ups and little ones too. Children’s birthday parties are super popular, and they come complete with aprons for the kids, set-up and clean-up, and a menu with all of the ingredients to prepare it. Chef Christine also offers kids camp at The Kitchen Studio for kids between 8 and 17, including special summer camp sessions – registration starts March 1, and space is limited!

Me? My next visit will be for one of Chef Christine’s sushi classes. I’ve had my eye on them since early last year – I just haven’t had the time, which, quite frankly, is a poor excuse.

Now, go play with your food!