Dining out is often a family occasion. Modern parents are spending more time thinking about what their kids are eating and how they help picky eaters in particular find their inner adventurous foodie. For most kids, fun-based learning is a sure-fire way to get them excited and eating.
Many grocery chains offer some form of a ‘Kid Chef’ program complete with chef hats and aprons:
- Tops Friendly Markets
- Whole Foods Market
- Wegman’s
There are also a number of food-related retailers like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table who offer a variety of cooking classes for kids of all ages. Preschool through high school age children can participate in culinary programs from these stores or invest a bit more time by joining a comprehensive cooking program like Young Chefs Academy.
You might think that pizza or macaroni and cheese are staples of these cooking classes, but kids today have much more developed palettes. Experimenting with colorful dishes or those that put a new twist on old favorites are gaining in popularity.
If you are looking to educate the young people of your community or inspire future chefs, there are a few considerations you’ll need to evaluate before those first students walk through the door.
- Separate classes into specific age groups.
- Choose a dish that appeals to the right age group for the class.
- Plan your dish out in small, easy steps.
- Prep difficult or age-inappropriate tasks ahead of time. You could also choose to include parents in classes for younger children.
- Keep extra ingredients on hand in case of spills and mistakes – which should be expected.
- Focus on the process and having fun, not the end product.
Many chefs and restaurants are incredibly busy at all times of the day. So, when might you be able to fit in classes like these? The answer really depends upon your specific working hours and availability. In general, you could expect the best attendance on school breaks or summer vacation. Using a small banquet space or secluded corner of your restaurant could help keep the class separate from restaurant patrons. Another option would be to host cooking classes in the kitchen of a local organization or school when they aren’t booked.
Children are wildly curious about the world and incredibly open to learning at a very young age. Finding ways to capitalize on this special time in life can help ensure great culinary experiences for the future. Not only will the kids love getting their hands dirty, parents will love giving their children an educational opportunity disguised as pure fun.
If you are unsure how to start a children’s cooking class or still feel hesitant, consider checking out similar programs in your area. If you have kids, sign them up for a class and join in. If you don’t have kids of your own, borrow a niece or nephew and get cooking. Hosting an in-home sample class with kids you already know can help you get feedback before you begin taking on paying students.
Dining out is often a family occasion. Modern parents are spending more time thinking about what their kids are eating and how they help picky eaters in particular find their inner adventurous foodie. For most kids, fun-based learning is a sure-fire way to get them excited and eating.
Many grocery chains offer some form of a ‘Kid Chef’ program complete with chef hats and aprons:
- Tops Friendly Markets
- Whole Foods Market
- Wegman’s
There are also a number of food-related retailers like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table who offer a variety of cooking classes for kids of all ages. Preschool through high school age children can participate in culinary programs from these stores or invest a bit more time by joining a comprehensive cooking program like Young Chefs Academy.
You might think that pizza or macaroni and cheese are staples of these cooking classes, but kids today have much more developed palettes. Experimenting with colorful dishes or those that put a new twist on old favorites are gaining in popularity.
If you are looking to educate the young people of your community or inspire future chefs, there are a few considerations you’ll need to evaluate before those first students walk through the door.
- Separate classes into specific age groups.
- Choose a dish that appeals to the right age group for the class.
- Plan your dish out in small, easy steps.
- Prep difficult or age-inappropriate tasks ahead of time. You could also choose to include parents in classes for younger children.
- Keep extra ingredients on hand in case of spills and mistakes – which should be expected.
- Focus on the process and having fun, not the end product.
Many chefs and restaurants are incredibly busy at all times of the day. So, when might you be able to fit in classes like these? The answer really depends upon your specific working hours and availability. In general, you could expect the best attendance on school breaks or summer vacation. Using a small banquet space or secluded corner of your restaurant could help keep the class separate from restaurant patrons. Another option would be to host cooking classes in the kitchen of a local organization or school when they aren’t booked.
Children are wildly curious about the world and incredibly open to learning at a very young age. Finding ways to capitalize on this special time in life can help ensure great culinary experiences for the future. Not only will the kids love getting their hands dirty, parents will love giving their children an educational opportunity disguised as pure fun.
If you are unsure how to start a children’s cooking class or still feel hesitant, consider checking out similar programs in your area. If you have kids, sign them up for a class and join in. If you don’t have kids of your own, borrow a niece or nephew and get cooking. Hosting an in-home sample class with kids you already know can help you get feedback before you begin taking on paying students.