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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Current Boston Children’s patients: Talk to your provider about a referral. You can also contact the Department of Clinical Nutrition at 617-355-4677.
  • Patients new to Boston Children’s: If you are new to Boston Children’s, you can request a visit online or contact the Department of Clinical Nutrition directly.

For all Teaching Kitchen referrals with our dietitians: Use the Boston Children's Hospital Facility NPI #:171-008-7127. Please feel free to contact the Clinical Nutrition Department with any questions at 617-355-4677.

Community classes are coming soon. Check back here for more information.

No, you do not need to bring your own supplies. We’ll provide all the food and equipment you’ll need during your in-person class.

The Teaching Kitchen is located on the first floor of Boston Children’s Needham. From the main entrance, proceed to the left past the elevators. The Teaching Kitchen is located next to the retail café.

When you arrive for your class, feel free to wait at the tables in the retail café in front of the Teaching Kitchen.

We encourage a maximum of two adult caregivers attend classes with the child. Your child is required to attend class.

There are lockers available in a separate room located down the hall from the Teaching Kitchen (room NE 110). Our security team at the front desk or Teaching Kitchen staff can direct you there.

Please wear close-toed shoes that are comfortable to stand in for a 90-minute class. We will ask you to tie any long hair back. You will be provided with an apron for class.

Yes! Part of your class will be tasting the food you prepare and discussing how you might prepare the recipe differently. During class, we ask that you not sample foods prepared by other patients and their family members.

We ask all participants to be respectful and explore the food prepared in class in whatever way they are comfortable doing so. If you don’t like something and don’t want to eat it, consider exploring with other senses like touch and smell.

Yes! We will provide you with a take-home container for any food you wish to take home.

No. Our team will clean all dishes for your in-person class.

Yes. Our kitchen is equipped to meet accessibility needs. Please connect with us by phone or email ahead of your scheduled class so we can make any necessary arrangements.

Our team of registered dietitians take all food allergies seriously. While we offer a range of classes and prepare all types of food — including those with allergens — our team takes every precaution to reduce the risk of allergen cross-contact. This includes washing and sanitizing all equipment and workstations prior to classes, strictly scrutinizing ingredient labels, and pre-measuring ingredients. However, there is always a risk of cross-contact, including the possibility that manufacturers of ingredients we use could change their formulation at any time without notice.

Please send us any questions related to food allergies via email at teachingkitchen@childrens.harvard.edu.