When Tonia Carsten got the idea to open a cooking school, she set out to create something different, something special and something local. That's exactly what she's done with Rata2ee - a culinary academy located in downtown Rochester that focuses on hands-on instruction, proper cooking technique and the origins of food.
For elementary-age kids, learning to make pasta from scratch is the most popular, followed closely by hand-made pizza. For older kids, the true foodies will venture out and try all types of different foods. "They love the homemade pasta, but it’s the sushi rolling that really gets their eyes excited. I think it’s seeing something they created on the plate that makes it magical for them."
If you're looking for something fun to do with your family, Rata2ee has been holding Cupcake Wars Birthday Parties, and is planning on offering teen *Pizza Palooza* nights. Tonia has dreams of holding "Chopped" style competitions in their downtown Rochester space, putting Rata2ee on the national radar. "Every year we get contacted by Top Chef Junior and other Kids’ Baking Championship, asking us if we have anyone who would like to try out. One day, that will happen!"
Tonia wants us all to remember that sitting down and breaking bread with one another is how memories are made with families and friends. It is where we learn to have conversations, learn to adjust with varying opinions, and how to use our words to communicate. Our grandparents ate straight from the garden, sat at tables without devices in hand and lived longer than the generation after them. "It’s time to let our bodies do what it knows best - heal with proper water, rest, and nutrition. Time to sharpen our knives and get to cooking!"
Below you'll find a quick and easy recipe to make at home with your kids over summer break!
Fruit Pizza
Time: 2 hours 10 minutes / Serves 12
Ingredients:
- 1 Roll of refrigerated sugar cookies
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1cup fresh or canned peach slices, drained, cut into thinner slices
- 1 cup halved or quartered fresh strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup apple jelly
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12-inch pizza pan or spray with cooking spray. On pan, break up cookie dough; press evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.
- Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese.
- Stir jelly until smooth; spoon or brush over fruit. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Cut pizza into wedges or squares. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pizza.
Tag @rochestercitylifestyle and @rata2ee_official and let us see your creations!
To learn more about the programs that Rata2ee has to offer or if you're looking for a space to host your next party, visit https://rata2ee.com. Rata2ee is located at 413 South Main Street Rochester, MI 48307
Although she has a love for all types of cuisine, Tonia would pick Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food every time. She could eat it every day without getting tired of it, AND research has shown it’s one of the best healthy diets out there. We call that a win-win.