Spark Studios x Cath Kidston: a wonderfully whimsical workshop for the wee ones

Spark Studios recently teamed up with Brit brand Cath Kidston in the perfect collaboration to host a fabulous afternoon tea party and workshop. During the session, six little chefs learned how to bake scones, set the table for a party, shared fun facts about the history of afternoon tea and (finally!) invited parents back in to enjoy some tasty treats too!

Spark Studios Kitchen is a beautiful, large, open-plan cooking studio with 6-8 stations for kids (or adults) to work at. The studio runs cooking courses for children and adults, as well as corporate team-building events and birthday ‘cooking’ parties. Cooking courses range from simple baking to more complex Japanese and Italian meals for older children. I must confess to a strong urge to send Jonah here to learn how to make sushi… what better life skill to teach your children?!  As each child passes a class, they are given a ‘brownie’ or ‘scout’ badge to pin on their apron as a mark of their progress.

As Jonah and I entered the reception, we were warmly greeted by the owners, Yoshiko and Virginia, and taken into the ‘living room’ with a sofa, TV and mini library. Behind us was an enormous dining table – large enough to seat 20 people – while beyond was the cooking studio and outdoor deck, perfect for hosting larger events.

As Jonah was the only boy, I was worried he might kick up a fuss at the ultra-girly, pretty-pretty Cath Kidston gifts and goodies laid out, but to his delight he was given a retro cowboy print Octopus card cover which made his day! All the children taking part were given a Cath Kidston apron before being taken into the cooking studio. This area was then screened off with extendable folding screen doors, so that parents could browse the whimsical products at their leisure and enjoy some tea while the little gourmets got to work!

Bags, wallets, aprons and tableware all decorated the studio, and as a big fan of Cath Kidston, I felt that the retro, vintage-style tableware complemented the tea party exquisitely. With the Christmas season upon us, this was an ideal way to get your Christmas shopping done in a very stress-free manner!

I popped back into the studio to see how the children were getting on. The squeals and smiles of delight told me they were all enjoying every minute. There were plenty of cooking helpers to give the extra-little ones a hand where needed, but the children took great pride in telling parents how they were able to do everything on their own! They proudly showed off their scones as iced biscuits, finger sandwiches and little tarts and cakes were served on pretty tiered platters.

It was with great gusto that we all tucked in and enjoyed their creations, and anything that we could not finish was eagerly wrapped up in doggy bags to take home! It was a lovely afternoon treat for parent and child and I’m looking forward to more such workshops in the future!

Each little chef was offered a special gift to take home, plus a discount to use in store at Cath Kidston, so that the family can recreate the perfect English afternoon tea at home. The session cost $650 for Spark Studios members, or $700 for non-members, and included a full lesson, afternoon tea for both child & parent, and Cath Kidston goodies plus a discount to take home.

For more cooking classes and workshops from Spark Studios, check out their schedule.

Spark Studios, 3/F Room 308 Westlands Centre, 20 Westland Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong; Tel: 2682 3411.