Quick Bites from Pensacola Cooks: Midsummer Edition 2026


A Season of Sizzle and Growth
After enjoying a spectacular America's 250th Birthday Celebration, along with another memorable Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show, we welcome you to catch up with us in this Midsummer Edition of Quick Bites—a celebration of a season filled with learning, laughter, and delicious memories. Late July and August bring a special energy to Pensacola Cooks. The classroom is sizzling with flavors, smiling faces, and the excitement of making the most of summer before leisurely activities end and back to school routines begin.

This time of year marks the last hoorah for our PCKids Summer Camps, with our final  Baking Bonanza Camp. Throughout the summer, young chefs have mixed, measured, chopped, baked, and discovered new confidence in the kitchen while creating friendships and unforgettable experiences. As backpacks replace aprons and families prepare for a new school year, we're proud to have been part of another summer of inspiring the next generation of home cooks. A special shout out of gratitude to our Summer Camp Teaching Team: Chef Heather, Chef Robin, Chef Amy, Culinary Instructor Deepthi, Culinary Instructor Denise, Culinary Assistant Andrew, Culinary Assistant Campbell, and Culinary Assistant Ellie.

Sunshine is reaching its peak, but summer isn't winding down just yet! We have our evening Family Summer Camp to finish out July.  August is packed with exciting culinary experiences, for adults, couples, and families. Whether you're looking to master a new technique, enjoy a fun date night, or create memories together around the prep tables, our August classes offer the perfect opportunity to savor the season before fall arrives.

This edition also celebrates the continued growth of the Pensacola Cooks Commissary community. Every month, more local food entrepreneurs are transforming their recipes into thriving businesses. From bakers and caterers to specialty food producers and market vendors, our commissary clients continue to bring creativity, passion, and exceptional products to the Pensacola community. We're honored to support these entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and strengthen our local food economy.

As summer begins its transition into a new season, thank you for being part of the Pensacola Cooks family. We invite you to enjoy this issue of Quick Bites, discover something new, and join us as we finish summer strong—one class, one recipe, and one connection at a time.

Here's to savoring the final flavors of summer!

Beat the Heat with Cool Protein Dinners
When August temperatures soar, keep dinner fresh, light, and satisfying. Plan easy meals featuring chilled proteins, crisp vegetables, and bright summer flavors—perfect for enjoying without heating up the kitchen.

Pensacola Cooks Kitchen Tip
Cook once, eat twice! Grill extra chicken, steak, or shrimp over the weekend and refrigerate it for quick, refreshing dinners all week long. Pair chilled proteins with seasonal produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, watermelon, sweet corn, and fresh herbs for delicious meals without heating up the kitchen.

Gulf Coast Favorites to Keep on Hand
Rotisserie chicken
Cooked Gulf shrimp
Lump crab meat
Smoked salmon
Sliced turkey breast
Leftover grilled steak
Beans and lentils
Hard-boiled eggs
Fresh mozzarella
Greek yogurt
Local summer vegetables and fruit

Gulf Shrimp & Avocado Salad
Serves 4

Ingredients
 1 lb cooked Gulf shrimp, chilled
 2 ripe avocados, diced
 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
 1 cucumber, diced
 ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
 ¼ cup fresh cilantro
 Juice of 2 limes
 2 tablespoons olive oil
 Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
 1. Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. 
 2. Toss with shrimp and vegetables. 
 3. Chill for 15 minutes before serving.

Serve with: Toasted sourdough or tortilla chips.
Pasta Making
August 9
MENU:
Fettucine Noodles
Alfredo Sauce
Ravioli
Cannoli

Cravin Asian: Filipino Flavors
August 14
MENU:
Lumpia
Chicken Adobo
Vegetable Pancit
Mexican Fiesta: Authentic Tacos
August 15
MENU: 
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Carne Asada
Churros
Street Foods: Global
August 21
MENU:
Thailand: Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps
Canada: Traditional Quebec Poutine
Coastal Countries of Latin America: Shrimp Stuffed Avocado
Cultures Cook:
August 22
MENU: 
Homemade Naan-A soft flatbread
Veggie Pulao-Rice with vegetables and mint
Chicken or Paneer Curry-a classic Indian comfort food
Hawaiian Classics
August 28
MENU: 
Loco Moco
Spam Musubi
Pineapple Whip 
"FUN"damentals:
August 29
MENU: 
Pickled Vegetables
Fruit Preserves
Homemade Butter


Family Summer Camp: Cravin Asian Edition
July 29 - July 31    5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Attend all three days

Anyone under the age of 18 must have their own ticket and attend with a ticketed adult. Each student must have their own ticket.

Menu of Activities: 
7/29 Thai: Tom Yum Soup, Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, Mango Sticky Rice
7/30 Dumplings: Gyoza, Pierogi, Modak
7/31 Filipino: Lumpia, Chicken Adobo, Vegetable Pancit
Baking Bonanza
Week of August 3
We have a few seats left!

Menu of Activities:
A variety of recipes, both sweet and savory, that introduce your Jr Chef to all of the aspects of baking
Examples are: Bread Bowls, Cinnamon Rolls, Macarons, Empanadas, and Pretzels...to name a few.
New Cooking Class Options in 2026-2027 

We have been working on our upcoming homeschool program which will run the 2nd Tuesday and Thursday of each month from August 2026-May 2027!

Seats are limited and are first come, first serve. Additional days will be added if needed. Registration is now open.


CLASS DETAILS 
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Pensacola Cooks at The Warrington Shopping Center, 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Unit C
Cost: $60 per student, ages 5-14 or TEENS ONLY class, ages 12-17. 

A few general housekeeping items to note:

1. Register through Step Up For Students to utilize your child's scholarship money. Register through Pensacola Cooks website for class payment and to reserve your child's session.
Important Note: To register using your SUFS funds, please request a service order in your portal. In the note section include which date you would like your child to attend. A confirmation email will be sent from Pensacola Cooks.

2. If your plans change and your child will no longer attend the session you reserved, you MUST email [email protected] NO LATER than 1 week prior to class date.

3. A reminder text will be sent to you on the 1st of each month regarding your child's upcoming registration.

4. Parents/guardians MUST sign their child in and out of class. These are
child-only classes.
Introducing Our Current Incubator Food Clients
Featured Commissary Client: Sweet Love
Tucked away in the Warrington Shopping Center at 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite C is home to Pensacola Cooks Commissary and Classroom. Behind our doors, local food entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses develop recipes, prepare products, and package goods for wholesale and retail sales.

 From food and beverage producers to caterers, meal prep services, and mobile food/beverage vendors, these Pensacola Cooks incubator clients meet Florida’s food health and safety requirements while bringing high-quality products and services to the Pensacola community.

Love Local, Support Local, Buy Local
Allan's Table on Wheels
Boarders 
Boards and Brie
CreativBowls
Diesel Smoke Sauces
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
EhrichSon's Bakery
FireRoll Catering
Ginger Snapped LLC
JK Street Eat LLC
Lil Bit of Texas BBQ
Lots of Lumpia & More
Mermaids Magic Sea Moss
Rise Coffee
Sand Dollar Catering
SimplyBrats  
Smokey Joe's Caribbean Cuisine
Sno Biz
Sweet Love  
T's Bees
TEMAN Food Truck
The Pig and I
The Sealey Sauce Company 
The Twisted Coconut
This Lola Chefs
Viviana's Tortillas
Zap Sap by Carol

Thanks to those students who take the time in each class to complete our evaluation! Thought we would share a few recent comments:

"Practical and very helpful demonstration. Took the mystery out of making pasta. Will look for other classes to take with my granddaughter."

"My teen daughter has attended summer cooking camp for two years in a row and LOVED it. She gained confidence in the kitchen and learned long-term skills she is able to bring home. The instructor is amazing, and the dishes they make are ambitious but very practical. My daughter thinks she may want to become a chef someday. This camp is totally worth the investment!"

"My daughter did summer camp here and absolutely loved it! She wanted to go back right away and stay longer. They were great communicators and very organized. The kids came home with lots of delicious treats - way more complex than we'd ever make at home. Huge win. We'll be back next summer!"

"My daughter just attended the week long Summer Baking Bonanza camp at Pensacola Cooks, and it exceeded all of our expectations! Heather and Dee were absolutely amazing. They created such a fun, welcoming environment while teaching the kids real baking skills and techniques. My daughter learned so much, stepped outside of her comfort zone by trying new foods she never would have tried before, and even made new friends along the way. The amount of thought, preparation, and effort that went into the class was truly remarkable. My daughter was excited every day heading to class and after would be jumping for joy in anticipation of us trying what she had made. What stood out most was how much Heather and Dee genuinely cared about each child. They made the entire week engaging, encouraging, and full of wonderful memories. We are so grateful for this experience and can't wait to sign up for future classes!"

Culinary Ministries
Culinary Ministries, led by Pastor and wife, Chef Bob Vanigan and Mrs. Darlene, is a place for chefs, cooks, food & beverage people, and even the home cook.
Through food, faith, and fellowship, people encourage each other and lift up Jesus Christ. 

Pensacola Cooks is happy to provide our facility for the monthly gathering of our friends from Culinary Ministries. Join us for food, fellowship, original worship music, and Pastor Bob's sermon.

Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: 4051 Barrancas Ave, Suite C Pensacola, FL 32507

Please bring a donation towards food cost. Great food, Great Fellowship, and Great Music!


Our e-gift cards are the perfect way to show your love and appreciation for that special home chef in your life. With our wide range of e-gift card options, you're sure to find the perfect gift for any occasion.


Pensacola Cooks Classes & Events