The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is offering Teens Love Cooking this summer to youth ages 12-18.

Participants in the free class will prepare recipes and learn kitchen safety, nutrition, and menu planning, and will be able to enjoy their own creations at the end of each class.

Teens Love Cooking will take place 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 25-26 and July 2-3 in the kitchen at Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Drive.

Participants ages 15-18 who enroll and complete four sessions will be eligible for an optional online course to get an accredited California Food Handler Certificate, required for many food-service industry jobs.

Preregistration is required. Parents can register their teen at www.cityofsantamaria.org/register. For questions about registration, call Recreation and Parks Department, 805-925-0951 ext. 2260.