About Us
Meet "Ms Gina"
Hello! Welcome to Nana Clare's Kitchen!
I am Ms. Gina - Chef/ Owner/Instructor at Nana Clare's Kitchen.
I am a Chef and have been in the
culinary world for many years.
I carry a handful of culinary/food related certifications,
and I have years of hands on experience.
I have a passion for working with kids and helping people
start their own food businesses.
Nana Clare's Kitchen was started out of a need over
14 years ago, but it has grown into SO much more!
Nana Clare's Kitchen is the only commercial kitchen to rent for food business start up purposes, between Chicago & Indianapolis.
You can find other "kitchens" to work in but none
offer all that we do, help they way we help or have the the business plan that we do.
We offer many classes and events, but I'm most proud of my Kids Culinary Education Camps!
Working with food is nothing to take lightly and teaching basic safety and sanitation at a very young age becomes a habit in adults!
I combined all of my training over the years and broke it down by age.
I developed and wrote the only comprehensive curriculum for kids culinary education that I know of.
Our classes are very age appropriate and very hands on.
My kids follow all "restaurant rules" and they are being trained, while learning and having fun!
I can't wait to meet you and your children!
And of course work with the families that have been with me for years!
Let me answer the question that I get asked the most:
"Who is Nana Clare?"
Nana Clare is my Mother.
She was my biggest cheerleader, my first culinary teacher and the reason why I dream BIG!
Sadly, she passed away on October 13, 2020
But she is always with us!
My Certifications:
Trained Chef over 20 years
ServSafe Food handler Instructor/Proctor
ServSafe certified in alcohol and server training
SrvSafe certified in food allergens and training
ServSafe certified in sexual harassment in the workplace and training
VOTUS certified to teach and work with children
Certified workplace specialist to teach Food Safety & Sanitation and Hospitalty in schools (I taught HighSchool)
Commercial kitchen design
Speaker/Instructor at many seminars in Indiana and Wisconsin on commercial kitchens, how they run, how to help, etc...
Test Kitchen participant/chef for two online cooking shows
Owner of Camelot Coffee
CPR, AED, First Aid certified for both adult & kids
I was a travel agent for 24 years, so you'll want me on your phone a friend list for Geography questions...;)
AND....Just for fun...I am an Ordained Minister
(so I can preform marriage ceremonies if you'd like to get married in the kitchen?) LOL!!!
THANK YOU for 15 wonderful years!
Nana Clare's Kitchen was the first commercial kitchen to rent in NW Indiana.
Over the years, we have helped so many wonderful food businesses get their start.
I developed and wrote the only culinary education for kids with a comprehensive curriculum and taught it for 13 years!
I am very proud of what my sister and I have accomplished over the years.
But the kitchen has run it's course. It has served it's purpose and I decided to retire.
I will keep this website active for information purposes, as I will be back to teach classes from time to time.
THANK YOU!! Gina