hanging up the aprons…

Dear Parents and Students,

After 18 years of teaching summer classes for kids, I have made a very difficult decision – it is time for me to retire.

I have gone back and forth with this since the end of classes last summer. This decision has not come easily. It is like losing a member of my family, letting it and all of you go is difficult. I know there will be disappointed parents and kids, and that is why my heart is heavy and what has made this so hard for me. I believe it’s time for me to retire though. 

I have so enjoyed teaching your children these past 18 years. It has been my honor and my privilege to open my home kitchen to each and every one of them over the years. My own children grew up taking the classes and then eventually working for me and assisting my students in the kitchen. Your support, kindness, and patronage have meant the world to me.

That support and interest were what gave me the push I needed to start my own cooking blog over three years ago.

I will always treasure the memories made here at Les Petites Gourmettes and will continue teaching adult classes at Les Gourmettes in Phoenix. I’ll continue posting recipes, nearly daily, at LesPetitesGourmettes.com. I hope you’ll drop by and visit me there, and that the blog will continue to be a cooking resource for you for many years to come.

Best wishes and Godspeed,

Linda Hopkins

Backlash? Not at all!

Love and kindness are what my students and their parents gave back to me. So much so, that I want to share their loving words with you and give them my eternal gratitude for being so kind and understanding. I’ve sprinkled this post with a generous amount of images from these last 18 years.

Additionally, for a very retro news video of our 3rd summer – go to the “In The News” page – over there on the top left. When you open the page, keep scrolling down until you get to a photo that is labeled “Old School”. Directly underneath that photo is a link that says Fox 10 News 1997… Check that out, it makes me smile. Such fond memories.

And now for those wonderful emails…

Hi Linda, Thank you for all you have done for your students. We are thankful for the years that Sydney and Kelsey attended your cooking school. Sydney will have to pass along what you taught her to her little brother Jacob.

You know I will always be reading your blog so I know this really isn't goodbye.

Sharon Cereska

Hi Linda,

Karen Preul

Good morning. Delainey is going to France with a Flagstaff school group and is earning her way by baking for anyone and everyone. In the last month, she has raised $1000 by creating pesto rolls, beautiful pies, gourmet cupcakes, savory snacks, and even dog cakes!

She believes her future is as a chef and she is interested in The Culinary Institute in NY when she finishes high school (she’s a sophomore). She really enjoyed spending time with you and I am quite sure you had a significant influence on her current choices/dreams.

Thank you very much and congratulations on your retirement!
Pam Monroe

Linda,

I totally understand and am happy for you for the decision. For 18 years, you have been doing something so wonderful for the youth in the valley. What Elizabeth has learned from you will stay with her and benefit her for the rest of her life. I feel so fortunate that she had this opportunity. Thank You!

Best wishes,

Shelley Jiang

Linda,

Thank you so much for being instrumental in Steven’s ongoing love of cooking! He learned a lot from you, and is even doing his senior year research project on the science of cooking! 🙂

Here is the link to his blog if you want to take a peek– www.stevenhowell2013.blogspot.com

He is having a wonderful time exploring even more cooking techniques, and I am certain his love of cooking will last a lifetime. Our stash of Les Petites Gourmettes recipes is still our “go-to” pile when we want to make something really tasty, and we have used lots of them over the years. We are so happy that Steven had the opportunity to learn from you.

I hope all is well with you, and that your “retirement” gives you some much-deserved breathing time.

Cindy Howell

Dear Linda,

Wishing you the best in retirement. It sounds like the decision to retire has been difficult, but perhaps you will find a different way to continue to feed your love for cooking and teaching, but in a way that gives you the time and freedom you want at this point in your life.

All my best,

Lisa