Kids in the kitchen
Teach your children to cook: They’ll make great food and memories By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor Learning to cook from parents or grandparents can be one of the best memories a child can have. “My mother and grandmother were excellent cooks,” said Linda Franklin of Leicester. “I was always in one kitchen or the other every day after school, making cookies, cakes and learning how to cook all the foods I loved.” Making pancakes on Saturday morning or baking cookies or cupcakes with your child can be a rewarding experience and a good way to teach food and kitchen safety, build self confidence and help them learn a valuable skill. But what do you teach, and when?
Ages 3-6 At this age, kids can stir ingredients with a large spoon and a large bowl. “For this group, you don’t want them to do anything involving heat,” said Barbara Swell of Asheville, who has written several cookbooks and taught cooking to children and adults. “They can learn how to fill a cup full of flour, put stuff in the bowl and stir it up.” Children in this age group can wash vegetables and fruit, shred lettuce for a salad and add ingredients to the recipe you’re making.
Ages 6-8 Children in this age group can set the table every night, use a dull knife to cut soft foods, beat ingredients with a wire whisk and fill measuring cups and spoons. This is a great way to teach fractions.
Ages 8-10
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Middle-schoolers and high-schoolers can make dishes with several ingredients, cooking from recipes with little supervision.
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Kids this age are able to follow simple recipes that don’t require sharp knives or heat and make them without help. This will give them a real sense of accomplishment. They should also be able to use can opener, electric mixer on low speed (with adult supervision only) and use the
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microwave to cook prepared food and heat leftovers.
Ages 10-12 By fifth or sixth grade, kids are old enough to use an oven with supervision. They can also use a knife to cut foods after being shown proper technique and with close supervision.
Ages 13-16 Middle-schoolers and high-schoolers can make dishes with multiple ingredients and cook from recipes with little supervision. Try letting them cook dinner for the family once in a while, or even once a week if they’re up for it. Remember, each child develops differently, so these ages are guidelines, not absolutes. The important thing is to be safe and have fun.
Other tips Here are a few tips to help you make your child’s time in the kitchen a happy one for both of you: � Only teach when you have time. Neither you nor your kids will enjoy cooking if you’re fighting the clock (or each other). It takes twice as long to bake with kids — it’s just worth it. � Teach good hygiene habits. Teach them to wash their hands often and to clean and disinfect the counters. Help them use clean sponges and dish towels. � Teach them the basics of food safety. Make them aware of dangerous bacteria and how they thrive. Teach them to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. � Teach them to use the stove and the oven safely. Avoid loose clothing and long hair around open flames. � Teach them to clean up as they go to avoid a big mess and lots of cleanup time at the end. Source: Adapted from www.preparedpantry.com. Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@ charter.net.
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Pati Roesler works with cooking students during a class at the Young Chefs Academy in Arden. The cooking school for kids offers after-school classes and weekend workshops.
PHOTOS BY STEVE DIXON
Training young chefs Cooking school for children teaches basics to gourmet By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor
Frances Scott, 11, left, and Sarah Williams, 11, separate eggs during a class.
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At an age when most kids are making mud pies, Pati Roesler has her students making their own pasta and tiramisu. “The 4-year-olds have also done cheesecake and ravioli,” she said. Roesler is owner of the local franchise for Young Chefs Academy, a national cooking school for children. “We offer classes for kids age 4 and older,” Roesler said. “Everything from one-time workshops to our Young
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Chef program, which meets once a week.” “Pati has an incredible program there,” said Walter Reed of Asheville. “She has been incredibly nurturing to my daughter, Anna. Anna has really enjoyed the classes and is learning a very valuable life skill.” The academy, in Arden, has two kitchen areas and plenty of space for young chefs to mix, measure, slice and dice. In addition to the after-school classes, the academy offers workshops on Saturdays and can be rented out for birthday parties.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Chili for Children Cook-off The second annual Chili for Children cook-off, in support of Rise & Shine and SAFE Inc., will be noon-3 p.m. at Poppies Market in Brevard. A People’s Choice award will be voted on by the general public. Live music will be in the parking area below Poppies and in the Garden. Rise & Shine Freedom School is a comprehensive yearround academic mentoring program. SAFE Inc. of Transylvania County is an organization dedicated to eliminating domestic violence and sexual abuse and to serving the victims of these acts. Contact Tami Moss or Rebecca Wynn at Rise & Shine for more information, 883-2295, ext. 13, or Nancy DePippo at Poppies Market 885-5494.
Mini golf tournament Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Services’ third-annual Adult/Child Miniature Golf Tournament is 1-4 p.m. at Tropical Gardens Mini Golf, 956 Patton Ave. Cost is $15 per team, which consists of an adult and child. Play 18 holes of golf, take a break and then play 18 more holes. The best score for all 36 holes is the winner. Trophies will be awarded. For more information, call Jay Nelson at 250-4269 or e-mail jay.nelson@buncombecounty.org.
includes instruction, uniform, and trophy. Parents and guardians are welcome to participate. Registration will be 1-4 p.m. April 5 and 6-8 p.m. April 11 at the West Asheville Recreation Center, 970 Haywood Road. The program is also seeking coaches, volunteers and sponsors. For information, contact Randy Shaw at 251-4031 or westashevillec@ashevillenc.gov.
Home School Happenings Four age-appropriate programs from kindergarten to eighth grade at The Health Adventure on insects, physics, food chains and more. Cost is $5.50 per child. From 1:30-2:30 p.m. For reservations, call 254-6373, ext. 329.
Children’s Clothing Exchange Sale of spring/summer clothing (newborn through size 16), toys, books, games, shoes and baby equipment. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5 and 12:30-3 p.m. April 6. Items 40 percent off on second day. A portion of the proceeds benefit ABCCM. At National Guard Armory on Brevard Road in West Asheville. For information, call Kristie at 667-0703.
April 10 ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’
April 6 Family Health and Wellness Fair
Asheville Hardware will host a family-friendly open house, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Children will make simple projects with wood, learn about puppetmaking and carve walking sticks. Prospective students of the new Asheville Woodworking School, located in the lower level of Asheville Hardware, will tour the school facilities and meet teachers. For more information, call 252-8088 or visit www.ashevillehardware.com
April 5 and 11
April 8
Adaptive baseball program registration
Fairview YMCA Vision meeting
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts is offering the Ted E. Tourists adaptive baseball program for boys and girls ages 6-16, in partnership with the Asheville Tourists. The program is for children with or without a disability that limits their ability to play at the Little League level. This is a noncompetitive baseball program that modifies the rules to make the game accessible and fun for all players while teaching basic baseball skills. Meet at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, on Martin Luther King Drive, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, April 26-June 7. Cost is $20 for Asheville residents or $25 for nonresidents and
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Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina presents its first Family Health and Wellness Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St., Asheville. This free event is open to the public and will feature health screenings, exhibits and demonstrations for children, teens, adults and seniors. An officer from the Asheville Police Department will provide free children’s fingerprint ID cards for any family with children 4 years old and older. For information, contact Alison Gilreath at 253-0701 or alison@jcc-asheville.org.
Open house
Skyland, South Asheville/Oakley and West Asheville Libraries.
The YMCA of WNC is exploring a Fairview Branch. A meeting at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Fairview Library will give interested Fairview residents a chance to learn more about the proposed project. Fairview Advisory Council members and YMCA representatives will be on hand to speak about their work and services the YMCA could provide. For more information about the meeting, contact Dana Davis at 210-9656 or ddavis@ymcawnc.org.
MOPS The All Saints Anglican Church MOPS group helps moms of young children with support, responsibilities, resources and relationships.
PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER
Lilah Grooms, Kayla Schmitt and Aiden Justus eat popcorn and watch “Dumbo” at a recent Asheville Arts Center parents night out. The center has a night out set for April 11, as does Spellbound Children’s Bookshop.
Teddy bears will be gathering at Buncombe County Public Libraries for a Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Little ones and their best bear buddies will enjoy a pizza picnic, teddy bear stories, songs, and activities. All children ages 5 or younger will receive a free teddy bear (while supplies last). A special “First Years” library card is also available for children 5 and younger. Teddy Bear’s Picnics will be held 67:30 p.m. at Pack Memorial, East Asheville, Swannanoa and Weaverville libraries.
April 11 Parents night out
Mothers of Preschoolers meetings are 6:30-8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at All Saints Anglican Church, 15 McDowell Road and N.C. 191. Child care and a meal for all moms are provided. The All Saints MOPS group is affiliated with MOPS International.
Treat your children to a night out at the Asheville Arts Center filled with song, dance and other fun activities, 6-9:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for first child, $15 for each additional child. Advanced reservations and payment are required by April 9. Ages 2-10. For information, call 253-4000 or visit www.ashevilleartscenter.com.
Read-O-Rama
Parents night out
All interested teen readers are welcome to discuss “Tantalize” by Cynthia Leitich Smith at 6 p.m. at Enka-Candler Library, 1401 Sandhill Road. For information, call 250-4758.
Drop your kids off for supervised fun with stories and games, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop, 866 Haywood Road. For children 4 years and older only. Cost is $10 per child. Limit 12 kids. Advance reservations required. For information, call 232-2228 or visit www.spellboundchildrensbookshop.com.
‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ Teddy bears will be gathering at Buncombe County Public Libraries for a Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Little ones and their best bear buddies will enjoy a pizza picnic, teddy bear stories, songs, and activities. All children ages 5 or younger will receive a free teddy bear (while supplies last). A special “First Years” library card is also available for children 5 and younger. Teddy Bear’s Picnics will be held 6-7:30 p.m. at South Buncombe/
April 11-12 ‘The Wizard of Oz’ The Learning Community School presents “The
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