Allentown, PA
About Us
At Young Chefs® Academy, our mission is to make a positive lasting impact on children and families through teaching the joy and value of cooking in a welcoming environment that encourages discovery and creativity.
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Franchise Owner
Nanditha Sai moved to the Lehigh Valley in 2000 after graduating from University of Illinois, Chicago. Born and raised in India she was fascinated by the celebrations and the culinary diversity that she was surrounded by. As a child she loved spending time with her mother experimenting with various cuisines which developed into a passion for cooking. So as a mother of two girls she realized the need to provide children with a learning environment to share the joy of culinary creativity. As owner of Young Chefs Academy of Allentown, she is excited to bring kids in the Greater Lehigh Valley an opportunity to learn from a one of a kind cooking school with global presence. At Young Chefs Academy, Allentown, we teach in a hands-on, fun filled atmosphere where each child is involved in the learning process. We understand how important it is to introduce cooking skills to kids so that they learn the value of eating healthy very early on, and treasure their experiences of learning life skills for years to come.
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO, Julie Burleson, established Young Chefs® Academy in 2003 with the vision of cultivating/serving children’s strong interest in the culinary arts. It has grown with locations throughout the US to be a welcoming environment that provides a “real” setting so that the students can take what they learn at YCA™ to their own homes.
“The kitchen is the pulse of the home… where we learn about life and each other,” says Burleson. “Young Chefs Academy nourishes those values and gives kids an innovative environment to learn and thrive. In this busy world, what could be better?”
Over the years our franchisees have been showcased across some of the largest networks, which is a testament to our values and community activities.