The idea for Cupcake Kids! was born when Jessi Walter decided to combine her love of kids and food in a practical way. Jessi set out to create a curriculum that would provide students with hands-on cooking experiences designed to provide them with the opportunity to have fun in the kitchen while learning about food and nutrition. Jessi believes that creativity and education in the kitchen play an important role in a child's development and help kids to build self-confidence and independence. She is so excited to bring this opportunity to the kids of New York City!

Jessi is a graduate of Harvard University, where she earned an economics degree and was a Division I swimmer. As one of the oldest of 23 cousins, she has a passion for kids and their development. In her previous life as a swimmer, Jessi started a company offering technique lessons for young swimmers and brought the same enthusiasm and fundamentals to the pool as she brings to the kitchen today. In addition to years of learning in the kitchen with her mom and sister, she's taken countless classes from The Institute of Culinary Education and The French Culinary Institute. Jessi lives in Greenwich Village in a fifth floor walk-up apartment which provides her with good exercise to burn off all of her baking calories!