Learning to cook

[Beck]

How much time did you spend in a kitchen when you were a kid learning to cook? How old were you when you started and what responsibilities were you allowed?

I never helped cook when I was a kid, except occasionally helping make pancakes with mum when we were somewhere between 8-10 (I don't remember much, but I think all we did was stir mixture). Ella Rose has grown increasingly interested in learning but she's so little and only 4. So far all she has been allowed to do is stir and to put veggies into the saucepan (before it is on the stove) and she loves helping. What else do you think would be appropriate to let her do?

[Nico]

I can't remember helping much when I was a kid I would have to ask my mum I probably started helping willingly around 11.

I am hoping when Emily get's big enough she will show an interest in cooking.

You are talking dinner foods and not cookies & cakes? What about washing the vegetables? I have only ever cooked cookies with young kids never actual meals.

[Beck]

I'm talking about both, but it is dinner she always asks to help with.

[shred]

I never learn how to cook. When I got to NZ, I learnt s few pasta dishes but that's it. If I were living alone or flatting, I would have taken more interest in cooking but since I"m not, I don't bother.

But my aunt is now teaching my some Indian dishes so I can help out with the cooking back home.

I remember helping my grandmother in the kitchen (with the stiring, putting in ingredients into the pot, etc) when I was younger but that only happened for a short while and then I lost interest in it.

According to the many elders in my family, Indian girls should know at least 3 full Indian dishes by now or I'm known as a failure and that my parents didn't raise me right.

[Beck]

Putting jam on the cake!

[RebeccaR]

Olivia likes helping in the kitchen. I let her put the chopped up vegies into the pots. If we make biscuits I'll measure out the ingredients and she puts it all in the bowl and stirs it. The only time I don't let her help is with meat, anything really messy or if I'm in a hurry. She likes making pizza too. That is easy enough for Ella to do.

[Lizzie]

I think it's great for kids to cook. Lots of great learning (maths, science, language, sensory). The only cooking I remember doing with Mum is decorating cupcakes/cakes....not surprising that that is now the limit of my cooking skills

I made bread with toddlers, the kids loved it. They were fascinated with how the bread changed from dough - to actual bread rolls. They spread them with jam after naptime.

I think for Ella - pouring and measuring would be okay, mixing, laying the table (counting out the number of knives/forks etc). The kids use small knives at work - freaked me out the first time I saw it - maybe she could use a butter knife - cut water melon, strawberries etc.

[Loz]

I cooked from when i was little with my mum, my aunt and my cousin. I used to do things on my own from when i was about 7/8. Not to Junior Masterchef standard though i must say!!

[Beck]

All three kids helped me make pizzas last night. They loved it, and it was something Dylan could help with too. I did laugh though when certain mouthfuls of pizza were overpowering in one particular flavour

[Beck]

Helping make dinner tonight:


She isn't allowed to touch anything once the oven or stove is on. She has been doing a lot of stirring, washing, putting in bowls, that sort of thing lately. I need to get cookie mix so she can use that set Dylan got her for Christmas on Christmas day

[Beck]

She helped me make hamburgers the other week. Since her hands are so small we ended up with some mini sized hamburgers



You can see how covered in flour she is so I finally found a kid sized apron today. She declared "I'm just like a little master chef!"

[Lizzie]

Doesn't she look proud! Well done Chef Ella-Rose!

[Deleted]

Rather proud of that apron, isn't she? Way to go! I don't wear one when I cook, though maybe I should. I always cover myself in things!

[Lizzie]

I don't either Marie! I have a bad habit of wiping my hands on my jeans though, should probably stop or wear an apron!

[Deleted]

I do that, too, Liz! Sugar and flour are the worst, I think. Anything sticky I'll get a towel.

[Beck]

Same with me, but I really should get an apron too

[RebeccaR]

Looks like Ella's been having fun . I kick Olivia out of the kitchen once I turn the oven or stove on. She wants to help me make scones tomorrow, that should be fun . She always gets flour and stuff everywhere. And she's picked up a bad habit from me, wiping our hands on tea-towels lol.

[Beck]

Ella stays in the kitchen but she knows she isn't allowed to touch the oven or anything once it is on the stove. Sounds like you two need aprons too!

[Lizzie]

I have a super cute apron...it's so cute I don't want to get it dirty

[Yoshie]

I cook a little but I can't make many things. My kids have shown no interest in helping cook so they will probably end up sucking in the kitchen like me I didn't help out my folks when i was young