Meet Erin Fletter of Sticky Fingers Cooking®

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Fletter

Hi Erin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi! I’m Erin Fletter, and food is the heartbeat of my life. Based in Denver, I live with my husband, our three daughters, two cats, and one dog—who keep me endlessly loved, entertained, and inspired in the kitchen. Cooking with my daughters sparked the dream that became Sticky Fingers Cooking® in 2011: empowering kids across the U.S. to discover the joy of cooking.

What began as an after-school program at my kitchen table has flourished into a thriving social enterprise franchise. As of 2023, Sticky Fingers Cooking® spans 8 franchise owners across 11 territories in 7 states, teaching over 200,000 kids to cook. Our hands-on classes blend culinary skills, global flavors, creativity, and confidence-building. Helping kids connect with food and life skills is my proudest achievement—second only to being a mom.

At Sticky Fingers Cooking®, our mission is simple: Cultivating ‘Cool’inary Curiosity in Kids® by teaching them lifelong skills in preparing, eating, and sharing nutritious foods. We’re inspiring a new generation to embrace healthy, thoughtful eating with a global perspective.

My husband, Ryan, and I share a passion for food, hospitality, and connection. While we focus on separate businesses, our missions beautifully align. Together, we co-own Barolo Grill, a Michelin-recognized, Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant in Denver. For over 32 years, Barolo has created exceptional dining experiences, including annual culinary pilgrimages to Italy with our team.

Whether I’m empowering kids through Sticky Fingers Cooking® or Ryan is curating unforgettable dining at Barolo Grill, our shared love of food and connection drives everything we do. Together, we’ve built a life and legacy centered on bringing people together—one meal, one memory, and one experience at a time. As we like to say: Because It’s Thyme to Turnip the Beet on What Kids Eat®.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have learned that nothing worthwhile comes easily, and the Sticky Fingers Cooking® journey has been no exception. Yet, every obstacle has been an opportunity to learn and grow.

For example, the 2020 pandemic challenged us to pivot quickly from in-person classes to virtual programs. With an incredible team, we launched engaging, safe, and affordable online classes, partnering with nonprofits around the country to expand our reach.

That challenge also opened doors for innovation. In 2023, we launched our FRUITful franchise model, quickly expanding into 8 states, and published five cookbooks featuring the same kid-friendly, nutritious recipes we teach in our classes. These moments of growth, though challenging, have strengthened our mission and fueled our determination.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Sticky Fingers Cooking®, innovation is at our core. Even as we approach our teenage years as a company, we continue to grow and evolve. From creating recipes for our classes and cookbooks to supporting franchise owners, every part of our work fosters connection and impact.

We use cooking as a gateway to interdisciplinary learning—meeting kids where they naturally gather: schools, summer camps, and community centers. Through hands-on experiences, we teach nutrition, math, science, geography, and the richness of global cultural flavors while nurturing essential life skills like independence, creativity, and joy. Our inclusive approach warmly welcomes every child, celebrating diverse abilities and accommodating all dietary needs with exceptional enthusiasm, safety, care, and compassion.

At Sticky Fingers Cooking®, giving back is part of who we are. To date, we’ve contributed over $1.5 million to schools, ensuring food education reaches as many kids as possible. Our cookbooks and website feature thousands of recipes designed to excite kids and families about cooking and healthy eating.

What’s next?
A franchise model was the next logical step for Sticky Fingers Cooking so that we can connect with as many kids and their families as possible across the country. We are growing so please check back to see if we offer classes in your area.

We also have cookbooks and maybe I’ll have time to write a couple more someday!
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B093YJHWSM?_encoding=UTF8&node=283155&offset=0&pageSize=12&searchAlias=stripbooks&sort=author-sidecar-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader

Pricing:

• Online Classes (Free and/or under $10 per household), https://stickyfingerscooking.com/#section-week
• In-Person After-School Enrichment (Based on location): https://stickyfingerscooking.com/school-programs
• Birthday Parties (Based on location): https://stickyfingerscooking.com/birthday-parties
• Summer Camps (Based on location): https://stickyfingerscooking.com/camps
• Scouts & Girl Scouts Private Classes (Based on location): https://stickyfingerscooking.com/girl-scouts-and-boy-scouts

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stickyfingerscooking.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stickyfingerscooking/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StickyFingersCooking
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sticky-fingers-cooking-llc/posts/?feedView=all
• Twitter: https://x.com/stickyfingersco?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7eHBg7oDKChxsn4DC-69QA/videos
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stickyfingers_cooking?lang=en

Image Credits
Courtesy of Sticky Fingers Cooking