Researching yesterday’s post, I came across a number of other good articles focused on teaching kids to cook. Today, I’m aiming to share the best of them with you in hopes you’ll espouse the assertion of one blogger that all kids should have basic cooking skills under their belts by age 10…
Celebrity chef Jaques Pepin and his granddaughter Shorey appeared
on the Rachel Ray Show to promote Pepin’s cookbook
which centres on teaching Shorey to cook.
What every kid should know by age 10
That blogger is Hillary Meyer at EatingWell.com. She insists that kids under 3 can begin to experience the preparation of food by simply handling it.
“Help them pour ingredients into bowls. Let them stir, feel, taste and explore little pieces of what you’re cooking with,” Meyer suggests. “Ask them what they think of it. How does it taste? Smell? Encourage them to use their senses, and let them watch you if they’re curious.”
Kids aged 3 to 5 can also begin to learn knife skills – using plastic knives, of course. Spreading ingredients on bread or dressing a Pizza can also be doable challenges for pre-schoolers.
Older kids, aged 6 to 8 can start to get involved with coking tasks that require the stove. Now’s the time to teach them hot surface safety. Kids in this age group can also help make their own lunches.
Eight- to 10-year-olds can start using sharp knives – under close supervision. Teach them about cleaning their knives and other utensils between tasks and using separate cutting boards for Meat and Produce. And get them involved in meal planning and grocery shopping.
Meyer also lists some good, kid-friendly meals to try, and offers a video of kids packing their own lunches the right way. Of course, she goes into the above topics in much grater detail than I have here. A very good read for all parents who want to get their kids interested in cooking.
A master Chef chimes in
Legendary chef and TV coking show star Jaques Pepin says all kids should start early learning how food and cooking are integral to their lives. A post by Angela Arsenault delves into his pointers for engaging even pre-schoolers in food preparation.
First, like Meyer, he says simply get the kids tasting foods. Ask them what they think it tastes like, if it needs Salt, if it’s good. Next, start in with basic skills. After that, get kids involved in meal planning, preparation and cleanup. Finally, have the kids participate in preparing a meal for the whole family. Positive feedback from the diners will work wonders for their confidence.
Pepin has authored a cookbook with his granddaughter titled A Grandfather’s Lessons: In the Kitchen with Shorey. It’s a window into one granddad’s experience teaching a kid to cook.
The Pepin post at EatingWell.com also features a wealth of supporting information and links to other valuable resources for parents. This is a rich vein of ideas and tips for getting kids interested in cooking.
My take
These are just a couple of the thousands of useful returns you’ll get if you Google ‘kids cooking’. There are also lots of kid-oriented cookbooks available at your local bookstore and online. And, if we weren’t in the midst of the COVID-19 social distancing lockdown, I’d suggest you explore the cooking courses for kids that are usually offered by city recreation departments during March Break and over the summer holidays. Save that tip for later!
If you love food, and want your kids to love it, too, the current shelter-at-home situation may just provide the perfect opportunity to introduce them to – dare I pun? – the joy of cooking!
~ Maggie J.