The home kitchen is where everyone’s culinary journey begins. I recall my first time in my mother’s kitchen as a child. All the shiny pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils were right where I could reach them, and it’s from here that my life-long culinary journey began! The moment you decide that it’s time to teach your kids to cook is when your little chef starts their adventure, and your home kitchen is where the magic happens! To get them started, your little one will need an operational base. While your home kitchen is probably perfectly suited to meet your needs—it may need a few adjustments to make it a safe and convenient environment for your kids to start cooking in. Making your kitchen kid-friendly is simple! In this post, I’ll be taking you through a few tricks I’ve learned that can make your kitchen the ideal cooking space for your kids :) Keep the space clean and well-litA clean kitchen is a happy kitchen (for both you and your kids). The first step to prepare the kitchen for your kids is to make sure it’s a clean and safe environment. Keep all the utensils and surfaces they’ll be using clean, and make sure the space is well-lit so it’s easier for them to navigate and pay attention. Introducing your child to a clean kitchen teaches them the importance of maintaining a hygienic environment for their food. It will also encourage them to clean up after themselves and leave the space just as spotless as they found it. Make sure everything they need is accessibleThe next step to making your kitchen kid-friendly is making sure everything is in the right place, and within your child’s reach, so you can avoid any mishaps. Check that any knives they’ll be using are sharp and kept in a place where your little ones can access them carefully. If your kids are still too young or if you’re not comfortable with them handling sharp objects—place the knives out of their reach. This makes it easier for you to supervise them while they learn to wield these important kitchen tools. Back when I started cooking with my son, he’d always leave his utensils in random places in the kitchen and have trouble finding them later! Kids can get distracted/excited while in the kitchen and forget where they leave their utensils. Try creating a drawer in your kitchen where your kids can keep all their tools and access them whenever they need to. Make sure you also teach them to always put things back where they found them. Whether this is their tools back in the drawer or making sure they close the fridge, the little things add up to make a much more confident chef! When everything is in the right place, your child will feel more comfortable navigating the space while cooking. Always have a good set of potholders!The kitchen is home to many hot surfaces that you definitely don’t want your kids to come in contact with. Thankfully, a nice, dry set of potholders can help you ward off kitchen burns and accidents. Teach them to always use the potholders when they want to pick up something hot and make sure they never use the potholder when it’s wet—wet potholders will conduct more heat! Take a good look to ensure that your pots are in good shape before your kids use them. You can even invest in some covers for your handles. This way, your pots will always have a safe spot for your kids to grip. If your kids are nervous about handling hot pots and pans, demonstrate it for them and show them how potholders can keep them safe. Last but not least, don’t forget to teach your little ones to always turn off the stove and oven before they leave the kitchen. It’ll definitely take some of the I-left-the-stove-on stress off of you! Have the right cutting board readyIf your child is old enough and you’re comfortable with them using knives—it’s time to invest in a sturdy cutting board. A good kids’ cutting board will make a great and affordable gift for your little one! Make sure the board is the right size for your child to handle easily, and that it does not slip while they are cutting. I recommend placing the board on a small towel to give it more traction on your kitchen counter. Make sure your child can reach the counterIf your child is too small to reach the counter, get them a small stool to stand on. Pick a stool tall enough so that your little one can reach over the counter safely and comfortably without having to stretch too far. I recommend using a stool with rubberized feet to prevent any slipping. Adjust the water temperature in your kitchenYour child will be using a lot of water during the cooking process and while cleaning up. Adjusting your water to a safe and comfortable temperature will prevent any accidents from happening. You can also teach your child how to set the right temperature themselves by mixing hot and cold water. This way, they’ll always be mindful of the temperature while handling the kitchen sink (potholders won’t help them here, unfortunately). The area near the sink is susceptible to splashes, so I like to place a rubber mat on the ground to avoid slipping. While we’re on the subject of sink etiquette—when it’s time for clean-up, teach your little ones how to wash their utensils without wasting too much water. It’s easy on your bills and it’s an important lesson in water conservation for the future generation :) Cleaning up may not be the most exciting task, but you can make it more fun with some music, sponges that are colorful or cut into fun shapes, or even a dish soap dispenser with strategically fun stickers on it! These little touches can turn any chore into a game (I speak from experience). Your kitchen is now ready for adventure!Now that your kitchen is ready and waiting for your kids—it’s time to take on a new cooking project and make way for many more!
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The kitchen is a great place to spend time with your kids and baking is an excellent way to bond while having fun at the same time! Baking with my kids has always been an activity we love doing together. There’s nothing that helps us connect and establish some common ground like experimenting in the kitchen and making our favorite baked goods! There are a ton of tasty things you can bake with your kids—cookies, cakes, and muffins (yum!)—and they’re all very easy to make. One of my personal favorites, however, is a classic—bread! Baking bread with kids can be a lot of fun for both parents and kids. It’s a lot like making something for arts and crafts class, your kids can have fun molding the dough into all kinds of shapes. It’s a great activity that will keep them occupied and entertained for hours. Before you begin, here’s a little look into what you can expect and some tips to make it a great experience! Decide what kind of bread you want to make in advanceThere are many different types of bread you can make with your kids, like cornbread and whole-wheat bread. Some of these may be a little complicated for kids, especially if they’re new to baking, so start with something simple like banana bread or a bread roll. After you’ve picked a few simple recipes—gather your ingredients. Most types of bread have a similar foundation and it’s likely that many of the ingredients you need are already in your pantry! Then, give your kids a little bread menu—with pictures—and let them pick which one they want to bake. This helps them get excited about the process of baking and the final product. It helps to have a selection of fruits like berries and bananas ready, just in case your little chef wants to experiment with some tasty combinations! Fruit in bread is like sprinkles on a cupcake in my experience baking bread with kids. It’s time to have fun with the dough!Now that you’ve made your decision, you can get started. Once all the ingredients are mixed in, it’s time to knead the dough. If there’s one thing I know kids love—it’s playdough. Just like playdough, bread dough is flexible and can be shaped in many different ways. Now, this is the part your kids will absolutely love! Let your kids experiment with the dough. Let them get a feel for it and watch them shape it into their own works of art. You can even join in on the fun and make your own shapes! This is the best part of baking bread—in my opinion at least :) Mistakes happen and it’s perfectly fineOnce your kids have molded their bread dough, it’s time to pop them in the oven. Make sure you chaperone this part and teach your kids the basics of oven safety. Sometimes the bread might not turn out as planned—and that’s completely fine! Let your kids know it’s okay to fail; it’s all a part of the experience. Let them try as many times as they like and encourage them to look for different recipes. As a baker, I’ve learned more from my little failures in the kitchen than I have from my triumphs. What truly matters is that you and your little ones have a great time baking. Baking bread can get a little messy—and that’s okay!It’s tough keeping your kitchen clean when you’re baking bread with kids—the first few times, it may even be difficult to identify kitchen surfaces that aren’t covered in flour! Just keep in mind that the mess is all part of the process when you’re baking bread with kids and it’s totally expected. While baking, your kids will make a little mess here and there. Teach them that it’s okay to make a mess while baking as long as they bake safely, have fun, and clean up after themselves. Cooking isn’t done until the sink’s empty!After a fun session of baking bread, it’s time to clean up the kitchen. For me, cleaning up is just as important and enjoyable as the baking process. Your kids may find cleaning up a bit dull, but creating a game out of it will give you another opportunity to spend more time with them. Try having a little contest with your kids to see who can clean up the kitchen the fastest. This way they’ll have fun while they learn to clean up! Once they’ve gotten used to cleaning up after themselves they’ll be much more independent and confident in the space. Baking bread with kids has never been more fun!Baking bread is a great way to spend time with your kids and help them learn their way around the kitchen.
Always be patient with your little bakers and show them how to do things the right and safe way. As time goes by, your DIY kids’ cooking classes will teach them to be more independent in the kitchen and become more confident in their baking skills. I hope you have fun baking bread with your kids as much as I have with mine, and I hope this is the start of many more kitchen adventures for your family! Good luck on your future baking adventures :) For many parents, today, spending time with their little ones in the kitchen and showing them the ropes is a beautiful and meaningful way to bond. Even for me, getting on the same page with my kids was easier when we were chatting and hanging out in the kitchen :) If you want to introduce your children to the kitchen and want to make sure their first experience is one they’ll always remember, you can’t go wrong with baking! Based on the countless lessons I’ve organized for kids, I know that many have a natural knack for it. That said, there are a few things you need to know before you get started, especially if this is a passion you want to nurture. They say first impressions matter, and it’s true even in the kitchen! If you’re stressed out, unprepared or don’t have enough patience for your little ones, you’re not going to create an experience they’ll want to repeat. Make sure you’re following a few kids’ baking tips I’ve picked up over the years and use them to show your kids the joys of baking :) Let your kids choose the recipe As well-meaning parents, we tend to make decisions for our kids even without meaning to. If you’re embarking on an exciting baking project with your little one, put the power in their hands and let them choose a recipe they’re excited about :) I’ve seen that this little step gives them a sense of ownership over this process. You can be sure they’ll be much more invested and excited about the outcome! If you only want to make sure that your kids choose something practical, choose a few recipes you think they’ll like and ask them to choose one. Expect things to get messy—and show your kids that that’s okay A messy kitchen is something many of us hate seeing, especially after a long day’s work! That said, you need to understand that getting messy is all part and parcel of baking with your kids. Make sure your little baker understands that messes are natural and that it’s completely fine as long as it doesn’t get in the way of baking safely. When you combine this little nugget of advice with teaching them the virtues of cleaning up (more on that in my next point!), you take them through the joys and responsibilities of baking things you love to eat. Dear parents, don’t skip the cleanup!Anyone who’s had their kids do classes with me or follows my blog knows that I love talking about this all-important cleanup, just as much as I love to do my baking :) Your kids are naturally going to find the cleanup boring, but it’s a great opportunity for you to make sure they understand that there’s a little bit of work that goes into doing what they love. When you make clearing up after themselves part of this learning journey, they pick up on the sense of responsibility they need to become great cooks and bakers. Make sure you’re setting an exampleSomething I’ve realized is very important for any parent teaching kids their way around the kitchen is leading by example. If you give your kids certain instructions, really drive in the message by committing to those steps yourself. This is especially important when it comes to things like kitchen safety basics—if your kids don’t see you do it, chances are, they’re not going to do it either. My tip to parents trying their kids out in the kitchen for the first time is to make sure your kids see you doing the right things, following the recipe carefully, and waiting patiently for the results. This way, they’ll learn everything they need to know! Good luck with your next kids’ baking project I hope the tips I’ve outlined make your next baking adventure with your little ones much more successful in all the ways that matter :) What’s most important is that you have a great time.
In this process, don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the goodies you whip up with your kids! When it comes to teaching your kids any new skill, quick and easy is the way to go! It’s easy on their attention span, your patience, and your nerves. I’ve personally always found the kitchen to be my happy place and my center of calm :) Lots of happy memories have taken place in my kitchen with my kids, and a lot of those moments involve cake decorating. The entire cooking and baking process is definitely an exercise in creativity, but if I had to choose one part of your kitchen adventures where you can really let loose, it would be cake decorating! Taking a plain cake or cupcake and transforming it into any number of things can be magical for kids and adults alike. I’ve definitely had (more than) my share of fun coming up with novel ways to decorate cakes and cupcakes for my kids’ baking classes. It’s been one of the best upsides to teaching cake decorating for kids. Here are some of my favorite ideas so far :) Cheeseburger cupcakes Kids are picky eaters. Some of them have an insatiable sweet tooth and some of them can’t be plied away from the savory. Whichever one of these traits (or both) you’ve seen in your kids, being the parent of a picky eater is a challenge. The fun bit about these mini cheeseburger cupcakes is that they taste sweet but they look like sliders you’ve made for the fourth of July! This means both your sweet and savory eaters can participate in this round of easy cake decorating for kids. My version of these cupcakes also includes my no-bake chocolate cookie recipe, which is a win-win in my book! Spaghetti and meatball cupcakesThese cupcakes are adorable and work on so many levels. Adding googly eyes to any recipe is an easy and adorable way to immediately take cake decorating with your kids to another level! These are great for spaghetti parties at home, but the combination of realistic, sauce-covered meatballs, paired with the googly eyes and spaghetti, also makes it a great idea for Halloween-themed events! The different textures and layering involved in decorating these cupcakes make it a fun exercise for little baker as they learn new techniques and gain more confidence in the kitchen. Buried carrot cupcakesIf you hadn’t already guessed, making food look like other food is a personal favorite of mine :P We all know getting your kids to eat their vegetables is a tall ask. This recipe may not actually get vegetables in your kids (sorry parents), but it might just make them a little more enthusiastic about the prospect of carrots. These cupcakes are a great idea for all your summer picnics whether they’re in your backyard or out at the park! I love making my cupcakes with carrot cake batter to add to the theme. This way you can even get some carrots into your kids—albeit covered in frosting :) Fondant heartsTeaching your kids how to decorate their baked goods with fondant hearts opens up all-new avenues for their decorating. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, an anniversary, Mother’s Day, to brighten up someone else’s day, or a picnic—fondant hearts work in almost any scenario! Teach your kids how to use food coloring to customize each heart and they’ll craft the perfect fondant heart messages for hours. Cake decorating for kids is sweet and savory!My one and only rule when it comes to cake decorating for kids (other than cleaning up after yourself and always maintaining a clean workspace) is to have fun.
Your cakes, cookies, and cupcakes can look silly as much as they can look beautiful and they’re delicious no matter how you spin them. Once you have the main techniques down, the possibilities are endless and your kids will surprise you with their decorating ideas in no time at all. What are you waiting for? Start decorating! Almost everything around us is virtual these days, isn’t it? From online classes to graduation, online shopping and even relaxing after a long day of work, we go online to find everything we need. When I try to imagine what last year would have been like without the internet, it’s too stressful to even think about! As parents, this means that our kids have more opportunities to learn and grow. That said, the internet can also be a scary place for children if they don’t know how to use it. It’s our role to help them find things that are good for them and help them become better people. For passionate young cooks and bakers, virtual cooking classes for kids are an amazing way to learn and have fun! They don’t need to leave their homes and what’s more, is that they learn in their own kitchen. This is very important to me because to be a good cook or baker, you need to know your kitchen like the back of your hand. It’s just as important to be responsible for that space; in addition to having fun, your little ones need to clean up after themselves too! If you’re thinking of treating your kids to online cooking classes soon, here’s what you need to do before you get started :) 1. Make sure you have a stable internet connectionTake it from me—as someone who teaches kids online, nothing is more inconvenient than an internet connection that keeps dropping off! Your kids need to feel like they’re supported and can ask questions at any point during the class. Beyond just that, when they’re doing the cooking or baking, instructors need to be able to see what they’re doing and guide them when necessary. To guarantee that virtual cooking classes for kids are a hit, make sure your internet is not going to drop off in the middle of important instructions! 2. Create a safe kitchenRegardless of whether your little one is starting out or is a teenager with some experience in the kitchen, making sure it’s a safe space is so important. As part of my classes, I always check if kids have the space to move about, learn and even make mistakes without getting hurt or setting something on fire! If you’re planning on introducing your kids to the wonders of cooking or baking, first do a thorough sweep of your kitchen to make sure it’s kid-friendly. 3. Make sure you have all the right utensils and ingredientsNothing is more frustrating than diving into a recipe, only to find out you don’t have the utensils or ingredients you need to complete it! When I was teaching my kids to cook, one of the first lessons I taught them was that they need to make sure they have everything they need before getting started. If your kids are young, you will have to do this yourself. But over time, it’s a good idea to instill this discipline in them :) They learn to be more responsible and independent almost naturally! 4. Make sure your kids are having funThis is a little bit of a different recommendation, but one that’s close to my heart as a mother and a culinary teacher :) The most important part of virtual cooking classes for kids needs to be about having fun. Your children need to look forward to their lessons and be filled with laughter and smiles while they’re learning. Cooking is not meant to be something they stress about; it’s a journey of learning. Based on my experience, kids don’t just learn new recipes or baking techniques, they also learn more about themselves. They become more confident! When you’re choosing classes for your kids, make sure they’re designed to help them have fun! 5. You don’t need much to have fun at virtual cooking classes for kids!If you’ve been looking for ways to help your little ones have a good time this summer, try out online kids cooking classes :) They’re great ways to keep them engaged and safe until the vaccines rollouts are completed!
For me, cooking has always been one of life’s greatest joys. Sure, the cleanup can be a little tedious, but even then, there’s so much value in committing to all the washing and scrubbing :) Part of setting up and running Bake Austin has a lot to do with my belief that kids can not only have fun, but learn so much through cooking. It’s not just about their ability to whip up fun cupcakes or a delicious chicken dish for dinner.When you trust your kids in the kitchen and show them that you believe they can pull off cooking a meal, you instil plenty of confidence and resilience in them. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids occupied at home or are looking for fun summertime activities, here’s why live online cooking classes or a quick cooking demo can be a great idea :) It shows your kids you trust and believe in them Telling your kids you trust them and showing them you trust them are two different things. This was something I would always think about when my kids were a little younger. By taking them to the kitchen and showing them how I’d do things—and letting them try those out for themselves—I was putting my money where my mouth was. Even if you don’t say the words, your kids feel more responsible because obviously, you’ve taken a big step in allowing them to enter your space! When you teach your kids to cook, you’re giving them the building blocks they need to develop their confidence. You help your kids have fun while taking on more responsibility Another reason why I’m a huge advocate for cooking for kids is because it’s a great way to teach them about household responsibilities—all while having fun! For most kids, cooking is not really a boring chore and they’re naturally more likely to look forward to it. While this can make life easy for you, it’s important to take this opportunity to teach them a few life skills. Show your kids that cooking isn’t just about the excitement of whipping together different ingredients; it’s also about clearing up after and following basic kitchen safety rules. Over time, you will find that they not only enjoy cooking but that they’re also able to make better decisions and can follow their intuition. Cooking can be a masterclass in discipline
There was a time when I felt like getting my kids to commit to the basics like cleaning up after themselves, being patient and following instructions was impossible. Once I started exposing them to the kitchen, it was easy for me to instil discipline in them without coming down too heavy. Just think about it. Cooking, and especially baking, is a waiting game. You need to be patient and stir the ingredients in at the right time. You need to resist the urge to keep opening the oven or the lid of your stove to look at how your dish is turning out. You also need to commit to the cleanup. All of these pit stops along their journey teach them, over time, that the good things in life take time, patience, and discipline. I can’t think of any other way I’d rather teach my kids these important lessons :) Teach your kids to cook and give them the keys to a more successful life! As someone who spends plenty of time teaching kids in the US and all over the world to cook, I’ve seen, first-hand, how it can be an incredible learning opportunity. Even with my own children, taking them to the kitchen and spending time with them is something I cherish! If you’ve been looking for ways to connect with your kids and educate them about the real world better, teach your kids to cook. Ask any parent—whether they’re in the office, work from home, or work in their home—and they’ll all probably tell you that the most important thing is quality time with the family. I’ve always believed that there’s no quality time like the time spent around the dinner table. This is often the only meal families have the time to eat together. It also gives everyone a chance to catch up and talk about their day. This is the experience I had as a young girl and one I have with my family nowadays too. Another thing any parent will tell you? Getting your kids’ interest and keeping it is basically an Olympic sport! When it comes to any new adventure, in the kitchen or outside it, it’s important that your kids enjoy what they’re doing. On the flip side, coming up with new ideas to keep them entertained can be nerve-wracking as a parent—trust me, I’d know :) If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few ideas that will have your kids elbow-deep in entertainment and give you some time to put your feet up for a well-deserved break. Try these recipes with your kids and enjoy a dinner that has plenty of love and warmth in it! Tomato sauce: As parents, we know the struggle of trying to get our kids to eat as healthy as possible. While tomato sauce may not seem like the most exciting recipe, it will give your kids the chance to make a healthier alternative to that usual bottle of Heinz. This is also a great base for a ton of other recipes like pasta dinners, pizza, homemade fries—the sky’s the limit! Tacos: What’s not to love about tacos? They’re fun to make and to eat! That’s why this is a great recipe for any family dinner. The whole family can get involved in choosing their favorite toppings. Your kids will also have plenty of opportunities to get creative with the construction of their tacos. Ramen: I’m a big believer that the best way to learn about new cultures and countries is around a dinner table. When you teach your kids to cook, you get to introduce them to new worlds, literally and figuratively. Trying new things, whether it’s tacos or ramen, will help them learn more about the world around them. It also helps them broaden their palates, which means less fussy eaters—an added bonus! Risotto and salad: One way to make your kids eat more veggies—put it right next to a bowl full of pasta :)
This is a winning combination in my household and it’s an easy way to add more color to your dinner time! Once your kids learn how to make one salad, you can open up the field to a whole range of options. Veggies are much easier to swallow once they learn how to make them more fun. One-pot Mexican skillet: Nothing cuts down on clean-up time like a one-pot dinner recipe! This is a fun way to show your kids how easy cooking can be, even if you don’t have an arsenal of tools in your kitchen. The discovery that they can make a whole dinner in just one pot will change the way your kids see food. It will also help them see just how easy cooking can be. Help your kids kiss boredom goodbye! Whether you’re introducing your kids to a cooking class or teaching them yourself, remember to encourage them to have fun in the process! If you’re ready to introduce your children to the kitchen, here’s my #1 tip from one parent to another: Always make cleaning up a step in the process. It’s definitely the recipe for a cleaner kitchen and the likelihood of you letting your kids back in it :) If your kids have been indoors for the most part over the last few months, as a parent, it’s entirely possible you may be worried about all the time they spend playing video games or browsing the internet. As a mom of two, I can tell you that I worry about the same things. I’ve found that it’s hard keeping kids engaged while they’re at home. There’s always the temptation to leave them to their own devices—literally! My kids love doing different things. One way I managed to get them on the same page and keep them off their tabs and phones was—you guessed it—cooking. I took them to the kitchen and helped them make some of the things they love to eat. In the midst of baking lemon tarts, apple roses and other favorites, I showed them why I love cooking and why I do what I do. Since I evoked a love of cooking in them, (cooking and baking being my love language), this is also the way my kids, now adults, take care of me. They cook for me on my birthday and for Christmas, they whipped up probably the best steak dinner I have ever had! (Of course, I paid for it all, but I did not have to cook!!!). If your kids are cooped up at home for any reason and you’re finding it hard to guide them to more purposeful pastimes, learning to cook could be a great way for them to spend their time. Kids cooking classes help your kids have fun—the good kind! As a teacher, this is what is most important to me. I want the kids that learn from me to have a good time and look forward to their cooking lessons. Kids cooking classes can help your kids work through simple, easy recipes and give them a rundown on kitchen basics, like safety tips and cleaning up. They learn useful skills including how to cook, how to clean up, and have a great time, all at once! Your kids learn to trust themselves and become confident in the kitchen (and everywhere else) In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits of teaching kids how to cook and how to tackle a recipe is that they learn how to make decisions and trust themselves. These, as I’ve learned, are the foundations of confidence. It’s something the school system just doesn’t teach our children. Kids cooking classes fill this gap. When they’re conducted online, your kids are also exposed to their own kitchen. This doesn’t sound like much but the truth is that getting to know your kitchen—where your utensils are, how your stove and oven work, and the ingredients you have—gives your kids the knowledge they need to feel like they’re in control. Your kids become more creative For me, one of the best things about cooking for kids is that it teaches them to think on their feet. This is something I learned from first-hand experience. It wasn’t just travelling around the world that helped me tap into my creative juices; it was all the experimenting I did with food and different cuisines. Kids cooking classes will tap into this element of exploration and help your kids see your kitchen as a cooler, much safer science lab! Trying out different recipes, playing with different ingredients, and learning to think on-the-go in the heat of the moment will help your little ones unlock that part of their brain that allows them to think like dreamers. Last and certainly not least—kids cooking classes give you a little breathing room!
If you’re still working from home or you’re just keeping your kids at home these days, keeping them occupied—without worrying about whether they’re up to mischief!—is easy with kids cooking classes. The beauty of this is that while your kids have fun and learn, you get a much-needed break. I used to feel guilty thinking that as a mom, I shouldn’t need a break. The truth is that everyone, especially parents, needs to rest and find time for themselves. For me, the only way I can do this, guilt-free, is by making sure my kids are having a great time too. Getting started is often the hardest step when it comes to anything new. I’ve met countless people who tell me they can’t cook or bake to save their life. More often than not, these people have had a couple of bad experiences in the kitchen or have tried a recipe that was way out of their depth, scaring them out of the kitchen for good. Like I tell all the great, talented kids who learn from me, the scariest part of baking, for a beginner, is getting started. Here are seven baking tips that will work if you’re just starting out or want your kids to enjoy the thrills of baking! Good luck :) 1. Have fun!
2. Don’t skip the preparation
3 .Learn your way around the kitchen
4 .Take your time
5. Don’t sweat the small stuff
6. Bake what you love
7. Again, have fun!
Does this look like fun? It sure does, doesn't it! Baking and cooking is so much fun and eating it afterwards is even better. But it also makes a big mess and we are going to talk about that today. Listen, I know how hard it is to clean up, I have to do it every day. And its not always fun, is it?! But I promise you, when you also clean up the mess you make, your parents will much more likely let you bake or cook. Also, a clean kitchen is something every chef prides him or herself in. A clean kitchen is a good start and a great end to every dish you create. TIP: Here is how I do it, when I don't feel like cleaning up. (I do this usually when I put whatever I bake in the oven). I put on a song I love to listen to, I plug in my headphones and clean up as much as I can until the song is over. First I put all the dirty dishes in the sink and soak whatever needs soaking. Then I put all the ingredients I used back where they belong. (If you don't know where they go ask your parents, or leave them in a neat stack on the counter). Next I wipe the counters down... (oh, but maybe the song is over, then start another one). Now I have two thing left to do. I wash the dishes or put them the dishwasher, dry them if I hand washed them and put them away. Lastly I sweep the floor. And viola, I am done and it rarely takes me more then two or three songs. That wasn't so bad, was it?! This is what my sink looks like after a class. Be glad that is not what your kitchen usually looks like. FOR PARENTS:
As a mom I am filled with joy when my kids cook or bake something on their own. Most of the time they also leave me all the dirty dishes, leave the ingredients on the counter and a huge mess on the floor and work space. When I work with my students I encourage them to keep their surface clean and put the ingredients back where they belong. Cold things back in the fridge and dry ingredients in their proper place. Having a rag that they can use is helpful. Having pride in a clean surface is what I try to teach, as a professional baker I have to constantly clean up my work surface and I try to instill that pride in them as well. I tell them that you also eat with your eyes and a clean kitchen is a kitchen one wants to eat from! Enjoy these tips and come back for more, I'll always be here for questions, too! |
AuthorBefore founding Bake Austin, Pascal Simon earned her degree as a Pastry Chef from the prestigious Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. A mother of two, Pascal is passionate about cultivating the next generation of bakers and welcomes children from all schooling backgrounds, whether public, private or homeschooled. Archives
October 2023
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