July 22, 2025
LITTLE KITCHEN ACADEMY IS COMING TO SARASOTA, FLORIDA
Changing Lives From Scratch: One Child, One Kitchen, One Community at a Time
Sarasota, FL – July 22, 2025 – Little Kitchen Academy (LKA), the premier Montessori-inspired cooking academy for children and teens ages 3–18, is proud to announce its expansion into Sarasota, Florida bringing purpose-driven learning and life-changing experiences to the heart of this vibrant community.
At LKA, independence is the one ingredient that is always in our kitchen. Our mission is simple but powerful: to change lives from scratch. Through hands-on cooking classes rooted in Montessori principles, we empower children and teens to make independent choices, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
This exciting expansion is led by Sarasota native Rika Meyers, who, alongside her husband and two children, is deeply committed to bringing LKA’s transformative experience to the community she loves. “Perseverance is the one ingredient that is always in my kitchen,” Rika shared. “It’s something my dad instilled in me, and it’s a value I’m now passing on to my own kids because where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
We are actively searching for the perfect location to call home in Sarasota and will be sharing more details soon. Once we find the right space, we can’t wait to open our doors and welcome our first students into our kitchen where they’ll discover the joy of cooking from scratch and the power of making informed, healthy choices.
“We are thrilled to expand our impact and introduce more families to the power of real, hands-on learning through our Montessori-inspired cooking programs,” said Felicity Curin, Founder of Little Kitchen Academy. “Rika embodies the spirit of LKA. Her passion for our purpose and deep roots in the Sarasota community make her the perfect person to bring our mission to life here.”
As we prepare to open our doors, we’re also excited to collaborate with local schools, community leaders, educators, and the entire Sarasota community. Together, we’ll create a space where children and teens can thrive, families can connect, and lives can be changed from scratch.
Founded by Association Montessori Internationale-trained, culinary innovator Felicity Curin and seasoned visionary brand and business leader Brian Curin, Little Kitchen Academy is more than a cooking school—it’s a movement transforming communities across North America. With over 200,000 student visits and more than 200,000 from scratch recipes prepared by students ages 3-18, LKA is empowering the next generation with confidence, independence, and life skills that extend far beyond the kitchen. From our flagship locations in Vancouver BC, Denver, and Los Angeles to every new community we join, we’re proving that when children are given the tools to make healthy choices, they can change their lives and those around them—one recipe at a time.
This new location represents more than a business expansion—it’s a powerful investment in the Sarasota community, giving children a safe, enriching environment where they can cook, learn, and grow. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or community leader, we invite you to join us in this journey. Let’s cook up a future where every child has the tools to thrive inside and outside the kitchen.
To learn more and stay updated on our Sarasota launch, visit https://littlekitchenacademy.com/locations/sarasota/ and follow @lkasarasota on social media.
About Little Kitchen Academy
Little Kitchen Academy is the premier Montessori-inspired cooking academy where every child and teen can develop independence, confidence, and healthy eating habits empowering them to change their lives and those around them. It’s about more than cooking; it’s about making informed, healthy choices that contribute to a better society. With charitable partnerships including, the Changing Lives From Scratch Fund, The Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, Crisis Text Line, Kids Help Phone, and One Tree Planted, and strategic brand partners including, BIRKENSTOCK, ChefWorks, ChopValue, Click & Grow, Emeco, IKEA, Celebrity Chef Cat Cora, Küssi, PRISE Inc., NBA Icon Russell Westbrook, Scrub Daddy, and Welcome Industries Little Kitchen Academy is dedicated to serving a brighter future. Little Kitchen Academy’s flagship locations are in Vancouver BC, Denver, and Los Angeles.
For a taste of Little Kitchen Academy, visit littlekitchenacademy.com or join its communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES OR PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Curin@LittleKitchenAcademy.com
