Inaugural Pasta Camp At M.U.W.

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — Summer’s in full swing and no school means kids can find some new hobbies and one local chef is hoping she can inspire local kids one noodle at a time.

Local families visited the Mississippi University for Women’s Culinary School for the first ever Pasta Camp.

The camp gave children and adults the opportunity to learn fun, new pasta recipes to make at home.

The camps creator, Chef Mary Helen Hawkins, is the chef instructor and certificate program coordinator at M.U.W.

The camp is a way for her to give families a taste of some of her childhood experiences.

“This was something that my uncle always did he came in the summer time to Mississippi and this is something I wanted to share with the kids”, said Hawkins.

While the families had a fun time chopping and cooking, some agreed the camp was a great learning lesson.

“Absolutely…I think [you] know, its important to learn how to cook, you have to eat…”, says camper and mother Kellie Haynes.

Her daughter, Jacey, also added, “…it’s important to know about what you’re putting in your body.”

The camp also gave family members the chance to bond together, especially in the summer time when school isn’t in session.

“They’re making memories…”, says Hawkins, “…I mean the kids don’t realize how much they’re learning and it helps improve their team working skills, and their math skills so I mean I love teaching the kids.”

In case you missed out this time around, Hawkins says the summer camp will be something M.U.W. Culinary School will look to put on every year.

Hawkins also told WCBI that the culinary school is going to offer adult cooking classes that will be open to the public starting this fall as well as the possibility of classes for kids around Christmas time.