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From Italy, With Love Comes to Haverford College

  • Writer: Create-a-Cook Camp
    Create-a-Cook Camp
  • Jul 10
  • 2 min read

Week Three of our Summer 2026 season at Haverford College brought the sights, flavors, and traditions of Italy to our kitchen classroom as junior chefs immersed themselves in From Italy, With Love. From July 6–10, campers explored classic Italian recipes while learning that some of the most memorable meals are created with simple ingredients, thoughtful techniques, and the joy of sharing food with others.


  • Junior chefs watch as Chef Carisa demonstrates an important knife cut.
  • Junior chefs came here as friends and made lasting memories!
  • One junior chef showcases his peeling skills!
  • Another junior chef utilizes an important kitchen tool called a bench scrapper!
  • Junior chefs watch as Chef Carisa demonstrates how to measure batter correctly.
  • Junior chefs work together to incorporate their dough.
  • One junior chef adds ingredients to make his Panzanella.
  • Junior chefs watch Chef Carisa utilize the bowl scrapper.
  • Junior chefs carefully measure out necessary ingredients.
  • Panzanella
  • A junior chef prepares to ice his cannoli cupcakes.
  • Started at Haverford in 2024 and have returned every year making new memories along the way.
  • A junior chef prepares her arancini for batter.
  • Displaying necessary ingredients for Cavatappi Mac & Cheese Italiano.
  • Chef Carisa showing junior chefs how to batter arancini.
  • An eager junior chef stirs his cheese sauce for his mac and cheese dish!

Throughout the week, junior chefs discovered that Italian cooking is about much more than following a recipe. They learned how fresh ingredients, patience, and traditional techniques come together to create dishes that have been enjoyed for generations. As campers prepared each recipe, they strengthened essential culinary skills including knife work, sautéing, risotto preparation, layering pasta dishes, baking, bread making, kitchen organization, and teamwork. Every day offered opportunities to build confidence while creating authentic Italian-inspired meals and desserts from scratch.


Leading another wonderful week at Haverford was Chef Carisa, whose passion for teaching and love of Italian cuisine inspired campers to embrace new techniques and flavors with confidence. Supporting her throughout the week were Instructional Assistants I'Jhier and Spring, who helped create a welcoming, encouraging classroom where every junior chef felt supported as they learned, collaborated, and celebrated each accomplishment together. We were especially excited to welcome Spring to our Haverford kitchen classroom this week, where she quickly became a valued member of our summer team.


Week Three also brought together a wonderful mix of familiar and new faces. Many returning junior chefs came back to Haverford after spending previous summers with Create-a-Cook, while many first-time campers experienced our program for the very first time. Watching experienced campers encourage new friends, share what they've learned, and build lasting friendships is one of the most rewarding parts of every Create-a-Cook summer.


One of the highlights of our full-day Haverford program is that junior chefs enjoy both Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry every day, giving them the opportunity to develop a wide range of techniques while creating an exciting variety of recipes throughout the week.


Culinary Kitchen

  • Panzanella

  • Mini Three-Cheese Lasagna

  • Tomato Risotto with Peas & Asparagus Arancini

  • Cavatappi Mac & Cheese Italiano

  • "Fri-YAY!" Pizza


Baking & Pastry Kitchen

  • Chocolate Chip Biscotti with Chocolate Ganache

  • Cannoli Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Shaved Chocolate

  • Lemon Olive Oil Loaf Cake

  • Summer Garden Focaccia

  • Italian Anise Cookies with Icing & Sprinkles


As the week came to a close, our classroom was filled with proud junior chefs who had not only learned new recipes but had also gained a deeper appreciation for the traditions that make Italian cuisine so special. From carefully stirring risotto to decorating cannoli cupcakes and baking rustic focaccia, every recipe reflected the creativity, confidence, and teamwork that continue to grow each week.


With three of our six weeks now complete at Haverford College, Summer 2026 has reached its halfway point—but there are still plenty of culinary adventures ahead. We look forward to welcoming more junior chefs into our kitchen classroom as we continue creating delicious recipes, building lifelong skills, and making unforgettable summer memories together.

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