Children from across the state came to campus to learn culinary skills at this year’s annual UCann Cook summer camps.

Dining Services offered two three-day sessions of the camp for kids ages 10 to 13: the first, July 9-11, was designed for beginning chefs and offered hands-on instruction in basic kitchen skills. The second, July 16-18, offered campers who had previously taken UCann Cook Camp 101 an opportunity to work with with award-winning UConn chefs to learn advanced cooking and kitchen skills. The menu of activities at Camp 102 included the art of international ethnic cuisine, and creating pastries and breads at the UConn bakery. All campers received a specially designed apron and chef hat.

Chef Michelle Abele uses a stick blender to help make a slushy beverage during a cooking competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Amber Recchia, 13, of Ashford, center, and Abigail Wilkinson, 9, of Norwich, discuss ingredients to use for a salad dressing during a cooking competition held at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Shredded yams were included in one team's pad Thai main dish during a cooking competition held at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Chopping herbs to be included in a salad dressing during a competition held at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Catie Wigfield, 10, of Baltic, takes a taste of a cheese sauce during a competition held at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Mac 'n cheese, chicken nuggets, sauce and a vinaigrette salad was one team's entry during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Scarlett Pauloski, 13, of Old Saybrook, left, and Chef Stacy Guitard season taco meat for a main dish during a competition held at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Ashley Kupchuno, 11, of South Windsor, left, sprinkles scallions over a taco during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Marie Smith deep fries chicken nuggets during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Taking photos of a plate during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Nick Wigfield, 12, of Baltic, slices cucumbers for a garnish during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Alex Morley, left, and Jen Steszewski, both of the dining services business office, grade an entry during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Campers wore aprons and chefs hats during the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Grace Morenus, 10, of Willimantic, second from left, and Annabelle Kim 11, of South Windsor, answer questions about their team entry during a competition at the UCann Cook Camp at Gelfenbien Commons on July 18, 2019. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)