Little Kitchen Academy: Empowering Young Minds Through Culinary Education

Little Kitchen Academy (LKA) is a pioneering, Montessori-inspired cooking academy designed for children aged 3 to 18. Founded in 2018 by Felicity Curin, Brian Curin, and Praveen Varshney, the first location opened in June 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, which remains the brand’s headquarters.

Franchising began shortly after, in 2019, with the goal of expanding its unique educational model globally. LKA offers structured, hands-on cooking classes that teach children practical life skills, confidence, and independence.

Each three-hour session enables students to prepare meals from scratch, while developing healthy eating habits and food literacy. The curriculum also integrates core academic skills, including math, science, and social development, creating a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

What differentiates Little Kitchen Academy is its commitment to the Montessori method, focusing on self-directed learning in a thoughtfully prepared environment. Its philosophy of "freedom within limits" allows children to explore at their own pace, guided by experienced instructors.

Training

Little Kitchen Academy provides a structured training program to ensure that franchisees and their teams are fully equipped to operate their facilities successfully. The training is mandatory and is delivered under the guidance of experienced instructors, primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia. The key training components include:

1. Initial Management Training: This is compulsory for the Operating Principal and Director of the franchise. It spans approximately six days and covers a mix of classroom and on-the-job training, addressing subjects such as operations, customer service, and staff management. While the training and materials are provided at no cost, franchisees are responsible for expenses such as travel, lodging, and meals.
2. Additional and Remedial Training: The franchisor may require the Operating Principal, Director, or other designated personnel to attend extra training sessions or seminars as needed. These sessions may be held periodically or in response to performance deficiencies. Fees may apply, and franchisees must cover all related costs.
3. Successor or Replacement Personnel Training: If new personnel are brought into key roles, they must complete the franchisor’s training to satisfaction. A reasonable fee may be charged for this training, and all associated expenses are the franchisee’s responsibility.

Territory Protection

Little Kitchen Academy grants franchisees a defined Protected Area where no other Little Kitchen Academy facility will be established during the term, as long as the franchisee remains in compliance. This territory is set out in the agreement and is based on factors like demographics and population density.

However, the franchisor retains significant rights. They may advertise in the area, operate in Reserved Areas like airports and schools, and use other marks or systems nearby. The territory is protected but not exclusive.