TV Chef shares how to get kids involved in cooking
TV chef and ‘Bake Off’ star Briony May Williams has shared her top tips for getting little ones involved in the kitchen. The baker, who reached the semi-finals of The Great British Bake Off, spoke about the importance of getting children involved in each step of making a meal. It comes after a poll of 1,000 parents with kids aged 2-10, agreed getting their kids involved with cooking is important.
The majority said it helps broaden the foods they’re aware of, and that being creative in the kitchen helps them become more confident. However 42 per cent said they struggle to get their children involved. Whipping up dishes with her own nine year old daughter Nora, Briony said: “Cooking with kids doesn’t have to be as stressful as it might seem, encourage them to get involved.”
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Cooking can help teach kids valuable skills (Image: Getty)
Briony suggests giving little ones – and yourselves – regular breaks to help keep them stimulated. She also recommends compiling a playlist for fun background noise, or focusing on a theme.
Most importantly, she advises embracing the inevitable mess that comes with cooking with children, the sooner this happens the more relaxed adults will be, and everyone will enjoy the event more.
She advises: “If you’re worried about mess set up a specific place in the kitchen which children associate with making meals, a sturdy tablecloth will speed up the tidying at the end.”
Briony teamed up with Herta, which commissioned the study, to create a hot dog inspired meal featuring hidden veg ‘ketchup’ and crispy carrot toppings.
“While social media makes parents feel pressured to make Instagram-able food art, don’t feel every meal has to be like this, a firm family favourite like hot dogs or pizza is a great starting point,” she said.
Embracing the mess is key says Briony (Image: Getty)
Parents are pulling out all stops to encourage their little ones to join in on dinner preparations – from picking the evening’s dish to transforming the kitchen into a disco haven.
Some families experiment together by trying out new and exotic dishes, while a good number embrace the thrill of themed dining experiences such as Taco Tuesdays or ‘Breakfast for Dinner’.
Child clinical psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin pointed out the importance of getting children involved in the cooking. She said: “Our relationship with food is a crucial foundation for our well-being throughout life. Giving our children the opportunity to get involved with cooking from a young age will help them feel grown up and capable.”
Gemma Serdet, senior brand manager, for Herta which is offering a Try Me for Free offer until 4th August, said: “It’s not only fun to encourage children to get involved with cooking in the kitchen but clearly beneficial too.
“Letting children get hands-on with food isn’t just about fun, it’s a great way for them to explore textures, tastes and ingredients in a way that’s engaging and memorable.”
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BRIONY’S TOP 10 TIPS TO GET KIDS INVOLVED IN THE KITCHEN:
Make them Head Chef
Involving kids in what you are making and giving them the chef hat really helps with engagement, you could even create a cute menu with them in breaks.
Expect mess
The sooner you understand that when in the kitchen with little ones that it will be MESSY, the more you’ll relax and enjoy.
Prep, prep, prep
Pre-weigh ingredients, set them all out in front of the kids so they get excited about what you’re doing. Kids can then just pick them up and pour them in – less food waste too.
Break time
Taking time in the kitchen is brilliant, but when cooking with little ones have regular breaks to keep them stimulated.
Find a theme
Get the kids to come up with a theme they want to explore when cooking, whether Mexican or Italian, to influence the dress code and décor as well as the food.
Create a playlist
Compile a cooking playlist with your child, fun upbeat songs which will make being in the kitchen even more fun.
Cooking corner
Set up a specific place in the kitchen for your cooking with the kids, if they’re too small to reach the worktops, move all the utensils and bowls to the dining table.
Food art
Don’t feel pressured to make every meal a piece of ‘art’ like you see on social media, but an easy option if you want to give it a go is a pizza face.
Keep it simple
Kids can’t concentrate on one thing for too long, to avoid them losing interest choose straightforward recipes.
Kid’s kit
Get them their own set of safe and easy to use utensils so they can really get involved in chopping and prepping.