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Cooking Classes this Summer: Can Your Child Stand the Heat?

By Karen Ogden

Parents struggle daily with how to teach their children life lessons. With summer just around the corner parents are looking for ways their children can participate in self-improvement summer camps. There are endless options when it comes to summer camps and perhaps the most crucial question that needs to be addressed is: what are the short-term and long-term benefits for my child?

An endlessly beneficial alternative to the typical fitness inspired summer camps are cooking camps.

“Cooking teaches children a life skill that they will need when they’re older and the more they learn the more they’ll want to cook. They want to be in the kitchen because they see family members cooking and they want to imitate,” says Alisa Tammaro, owner of The Playful Chef.

It seems that when discussing the benefits of your child attending a cooking camp the benefits for you and your child are endless.

First and foremost your child is getting an education in a life skill while having fun. Cooking encourages the use of math and science skills and encourages creative and critical thinking.

Another bonus, especially in today’s world, will be that their healthy habits increase. If your son or daughter is able to make him or herself a healthy snack they will be less likely to reach for the sugary and caloric alternatives. Also, if your child can help prepare the meals than parents will be less likely to dial out or drive thru.

Faith Beckford, co-owner of LYFVE (Love Your Fruits & Vegetables) says, “A lot of the kids I teach don’t think that healthy food tastes good. But when they actually get to create it, they like it!”

Trying to teach healthy eating habits can seem like a daunting task. Beckford suggests, “Starting early is better because you want to affect their taste buds before they turn five. But after five all is not lost because you can repeat healthy food in your child’s diet. The repetition helps them learn healthy habits.”

Alisa Tammaro encourages parents to start with ingredients that you know your child likes. This will ignite your child’s creativity and together you can discuss healthy alternatives to snacks and meals.

Faith addressed this by suggesting alternatives to pizza toppings. Instead of the pepperoni try for healthier toppings and goat cheese to create a more gourmet dish. 

Parents will benefit from the healthy eating as well as watch their children succeed in a new and exciting task. Watching your child succeed is immensely rewarding. You will also watch your child advance in socialization, build self-esteem, and self-confidence.

Tammaro talked about the pride in a child’s face when they perform a task successfully. “The biggest accomplishment I've seen is when a child is able to successfully crack an egg - it gets applause every time.”

Beckford agrees, “I think the greatest benefit by far is that children get to see something they put together and enjoy it.”

Perhaps the parents’ favorite benefit of sending your child to cooking camp will be the bonding that will take place with your child.

“Everyone says the family dinner is so important and it’s even more important that everyone in the family participates,” says Ed Samuel, store manager of Kitchen Kapers in Moorestown, NJ and co-director of Culinary Academy.

Spending quality family time together is priceless. This summer have a family dinner where everyone brainstorms fun and exciting cooking activities to participate in. Whether it’s going to a local farmers’ market for fresh produce, having a family barbecue and testing out new side dishes, or attending a cooking class together as a family.

Whatever the activity family togetherness is just another bonus for encouraging families to gather in the kitchen, not just the living room with that big screen TV. Watching the stove can be far more educational, but if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.

Because cooking does conjure images of hot stovetops and sharp utensils. Alisa advises, “You want to make sure where you’re sending your children is equipped for working with children.”

She went on to comment on when children are old enough to start cooking, “It’s never too late, never too early. Once a child is able to follow directions they can start. But make sure they know the rules beforehand.”

But what about the tweens and teens who only seem interested in those technological gadgets, how can parents get them involved?

Beckford answered this issue with ease, “Take it to the next level. Pair the cooking with activities like books, movies or TV shows that your son or daughter is interested in.”

Faith recommends the three C’s: challenges, competitions and cook offs.

While cooking at home with your children make sure you’re using child-friendly bowls, measuring cups and utensils. Also, make certain appliances off-limits to avoid injuries.

Ed Samuel insists that the greatest benefit by far is confidence. “The children leave so confident. When they arrive they’re a little shy and nervous but when they leave they’re standing tall with shoulders back… they leave with such confidence.”

Whether cooking camp is right for your child or not, we can all agree with Alisa that the best part is: “You get to eat your homework!”

For more information on cooking class options mentioned in this article, visit Alisa, Faith and Ed’s websites at ThePlayfulChef.com, Lyfve.com and KitchenKapers.com/cookingclasses.html.

Karen Ogden is a local freelance writer.

Broccoli Quiche

2 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion, minced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cups chopped fresh broccoli

1 (9 in.) unbaked pie crust in pan

1 1/2 cups Swiss or Cheddar

cheese, shredded

3 eggs, well beaten or

1 1/2 cups egg product

1 1/2 cups 2% milk,

or low fat buttermilk

2 teaspoon fresh dill, snipped or

1 teaspoon dried dill

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Non-stick cooking spray  

Tartlet pan or muffin tin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Over medium-low heat melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions, garlic and broccoli. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft. Spoon vegetables into crust and sprinkle with cheese. Combine eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until center has set. For mini quiches, use 2 rolled pie crust dough and prepare as follows: Roll the dough with the help of a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to get less than 1/8 inch thick rounds. Cut the rolled dough into circles using a cookie cutter or a round cup. Form a ball from the scraps and re-roll the scrap dough and continue to make additional circles. Spray muffin tins or tartlet pans. Using pastry circles, line muffin cups or tartlet pan. Fill pan or muffin cups with the broccoli, cheese and egg mixture, as above. Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371,

Total Fat: 24.9g, Cholesterol: 179mg

Recipe provided by Love Your Fruits & Vegetables LLC. Lyfve.com.