Measuring cups and math will share counter space this fall as the Berkeley County Library System (BCLS) brings back “Cooking with Chef Rebecca” Cooking with Kids to branches across the county. The series, led by Chef Rebecca Antill, owner of Book/Plates Food Education and an adjunct faculty member at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, was announced Thursday, Sept. 11.
The hands-on classes introduce children to basic cooking and baking techniques while reinforcing science, technology, engineering and math concepts. “Cooking with Chef Rebecca” Cooking with Kids invites families to “Join Chef Rebecca in learning STEM skills along with cooking up a delicious recipe. Children will practice basic cooking and baking techniques, with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math lessons incorporated into the mix. Come prepared to get messy.”
“Cooking with the residents of Berkeley County was so much fun last year at all the library branches, and I can’t wait to do it again this year,” Antill said. “We have an exciting lineup of new recipes to try. In addition, I will be introducing STEM skills to young learners as we create delicious recipes.”
Schedule (all sessions 10:30-11:30 a.m.):
Hanahan Library: Sept. 30Moncks Corner Library: Oct. 14Sangaree Library: Oct. 21Goose Creek Library: Nov. 12Cane Bay Library: Nov. 25Daniel Island Library: Dec. 9St. Stephen Library: Dec. 15
Registration is required for each class and is open. To register, visit berkeleylibrarysc.libcal.com/ and select the event at the participating branch.
Branch contacts for more information:
Hanahan Library: Kirstin Steele, Branch Librarian, 843-553-0047, kirstin.steele@berkeleycountysc.govMoncks Corner Library: Romona Shaheed, Branch Librarian, 843-719-4223, romona.shaheed@berkeleycountysc.govSangaree Library: Barbara Ash, Branch Librarian, 843-695-1208, barbara.ash@berkeleycountysc.govGoose Creek Library: Nanette Hamilton, Branch Librarian, 843-572-1376, nanette.hamilton@berkeleycountysc.govCane Bay Library: Michael Nelson, Branch Librarian, 843-719-4796, michael.nelson@berkeleycountysc.govDaniel Island Library: Timothy Boyle, Branch Librarian, 843-471-2952, timothy.boyle@berkeleycountysc.govSt. Stephen Library: Karen Altman, Branch Librarian, 843-567-4862, karen.altman@berkeleycountysc.gov
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Antill earned a master’s degree in library science from Kent State University in 2009, along with Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry certifications from the Culinary Institute of Charleston in 2023. She has provided food-based programming to libraries and community organizations for more than 20 years in multiple states. While serving as Youth Services Consultant for the South Carolina State Library, she helped create the statewide food literacy initiative SC Read Eat Grow and presented on the initiative at national conferences. She has worked with various state library agencies on staff training for food literacy.
Antill currently teaches Baking & Pastry courses as adjunct faculty for the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College and runs Book/Plates Food Education, offering private classes for all ages in the Lowcountry. She also volunteers as a chef instructor for the local food bank and continues to provide public-facing cooking programs for schools, libraries and community groups, along with experience-based training for library staff and other nonprofits.
Partnership building and sustainability are among her interests, “along with how to prepare a lemon yogurt scone.”
For more information, visit Book/Plates Food Education, follow on Facebook and Instagram, or email rebeccaantill06@gmail.com.
Dining and Cooking