Kids in the Kitchen

Kids love being in the kitchen - let's let them

by on May 14, 2015   •   12 Comments Kids in the Kitchen

Food Revolution Day 2015: What YOU can do to help

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day is tomorrow.

Yes, this Friday, May 15th, 2015 is the fourth annual Food Revolution Day – a day of global action created by Jamie Oliver to engage and inspire people of all ages to learn about food and how to cook it. Once again, I am beaming with pride to be a part in my own small way, and I’ve got plenty of ideas for you should you wish to join in the movement.

The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation uses the power of Jamie’s global voice to shout about important food issues, driving individuals and businesses to take part in impactful change and pushing governments to improve their food policies in support of better public health.

This FRD, Jamie is asking for help – and it’s easier than ever to throw your support behind him.

[Read more…]

by on May 12, 2015   •   12 Comments School lunch

Lunchbox Renewal & All-Purpose Citrus Boost Dressing

You know you’re in trouble when your lunchbox board on Pinterest fails to spark any excitement.

All around us, a spring renewal of sorts is in progress. My Facebook friends are donating their entire closet of clothes in favour of something called a ‘capsule wardrobe’. My neighbour is filling half his driveway with junk every Wednesday for the garbage man to take. And in nature, florescent greens are overtaking the soft browns with each passing day.

One thing hasn’t changed: the doldrums of the bagged lunch. Danny and my boys take one every day, but the school year is long and we still have two months until summer vacation. Can we revive the lunchbox? I think so.

[Read more…]

by on April 20, 2015   •   14 Comments Kids in the Kitchen

Kitchen Tasks for Kids Ages 9 to 11

“Do you have anything I can chop?” When my nine-year-old Noah joins me in the kitchen, this is a question I can expect him to ask every time.

He likes to work on his knife skills, and I require him do so only when I’m right by his side. This is one of the many understandings between us that has been established over years of teamwork. And I mean years.

Noah was my very first sous chef, starting around 15 months, on a chair next to me as I cooked and baked. At four he was making his own sandwiches. At five he was rolling doughnuts and doing most everything on this list of tasks for 3-5 year-olds.

He’s always been keen to learn in the kitchen, an in case you were wondering, he knows I’m writing this post and is okay with it. He’s all for inspiring other kids to get cooking, too.

[Read more…]

by on April 9, 2015   •   10 Comments Kids in the Kitchen

Kitchen Tasks for Kids Ages 6 to 8

So you’ve survived cooking with pre-schoolers. Congratulations! I have good news for you: the next stage is really, really fun.

From rolling meatballs to chopping apples, watching the Yorkshire pudding rise or turning fruit into sauce, the kitchen is now a science lab, the heart of the home, and the best restaurant in town.

Around age six and continuing through seven, children graduate from play cooking to serious cooking and they are eager to make a good impression. They can plan a simple menu and pull together an entire meal, if given the chance. Now, more than ever, it’s important to give them space to be creative. Guide them, give instructions, but don’t hover. And heap on the praise.

[Read more…]

by on April 2, 2015   •   42 Comments Kids in the Kitchen

Kitchen Tasks for Kids Ages 3-5

The subject of children’s kitchen tasks came up quite a bit during my recent round of interviews for cookbook promo, which got me thinking.

Over the years (we’ve had five good ones here) I’ve never really shared a guide to kid’s cooking skills by age. I’ve got children of my own in three distinct categories, so note-taking on this subject is easy. Noah, Mateo and Clara remind me daily of what they are capable of and are always surprising me with new accomplishments.

So this is the first post in a little blog series covering kitchen tasks for kids. We’ll look at ages 3-5, ages 6-8 and ages 9-11. After that they will be off and away on their own! Or at least that is the plan.

It’s important to remember that skills vary greatly at this age (and every age, really) so take this list with a grain of salt. Don’t worry if your pre-schooler isn’t making sandwiches or peeling eggs just yet.

[Read more…]