boundaries of their unique creativity
and take proud ownership of their
culinary masterpieces.
Cooking also provides visual and
sensory stimulation for children as
they are exposed to various colours,
textures, tastes and temperatures,
advises Japneet Chahal, owner of Party
Mate Cakes, a Pok Fu Lam-based
bakery that specialises in creative,
custom-made cakes, cookies and cake-
pops. “Spending time in the kitchen
is also an excellent way for children to
learn the importance of good hygiene.
Children can learn how to wash hands
properly before and during the cooking
process, rinse fruits and vegetables
before consuming, and clean their
work environment,” she adds.
With school, extracurricular
activities and play dates dominating
children’s diaries, the kitchen can offer
a comforting haven for families to
connect with each other. “The kitchen
allows families to spend time together
and bond,” says Vivian Herijanto,
chef instructor and founder of Corner
Kitchen, a boutique cooking school
that offers private cooking parties and
private dinner parties in Sheung Wan.
“
Encouraging children to participate
in the kitchen is a great opportunity
for the family to come together while
preparing a wholesome meal – be it
breakfast, dinner or even just a snack.”
While there are many benefits
that children can gain from cooking,
it is important to remember that the
kitchen can be a dangerous place.
Vivian says, “Parents will need to
warn children to stay away from
knives, the stove, oven and kettle
beforehand, and continue to remind
them during their time in the kitchen.”
How and when
While a child’s culinary adventure can
begin even before he starts to crawl,
the key to providing children with a
safe and satisfying cooking experience
is to offer them age-appropriate
activities to participate in.
Priscilla introduced her baby boy,
Luca, to the kitchen when he was able
to sit up properly. “I would place a
mat, lots of bowls, spatulas, wooden
spoons and whisks on the kitchen floor
to play with and he absolutely thought
that was the most fun ever! As I often
use equipment such as a blender, a
food processor or a dehydrator, this
was a great compromise and we could
both be in the kitchen making ‘noise’
together,” she recalls.
Parents can begin to offer basic
tasks to toddlers when they are able
to follow simple instructions. Miriam
suggests giving children a stool to
stand on to allow them to reach
the table better and experience the
whole cooking process. At this stage,
young children may enjoy pouring
ingredients into a bowl, sifting
flour and decorating cookies with
sprinkles, for example. Japneet says,
“
My two-year-old son, Nigel, enjoys
opening the bread packet, putting
bread in the toaster and turning it
on, and then spreading butter and
jam on his toast. He then likes to help
with washing the dishes afterwards.
Of course, I have to stand with him
to make sure that he does not burn or
hurt himself.”
By the age of three, children are
able to take on greater responsibility
in the kitchen. According to Vivian,
“
Children can help to cut soft things
such as soft bread, cheese, mushrooms,
asparagus and cucumber using a
butter knife. They can help to measure
flour and sugar. They can wash
vegetables. They can help assemble
sandwiches, smear things, and roll
meatballs. My three-year-old can peel
carrots and zucchini using a peeler.
She has nicked herself once or twice,
but even that didn’t deter her.”
From the age of four onwards,
children are typically able to follow
basic recipes. Japneet’s four-year-old
daughter, Vienna, will happily prepare
her own omelette mix, which includes
a selection of her favourite washed and
chopped vegetables.
As children mature, so too do
their abilities to take on more complex
tasks, with encouragement from their
parents. Karmel Shreyer, a mother
of two, is reaping the rewards of her
daughters’ journey in the kitchen.
Emi and Blaise were both introduced
to the kitchen as toddlers and have
since gone on to attend a number
of fun cooking classes and camps.
While 12-year-old Emi can whip
up her mum’s favourite chocolate
mousse, ten-year old Blaise, a budding
chef, has wowed judges at cooking
competitions with her jambuster
muffins and braised chicken recipes.
As children continue to cultivate
their cooking skills, parents should
be prepared for the inevitable spill,
smear and stain. Stressing over these
small incidents will only serve to put
a dampener on what should be a fun
experience. Encourage children to
enjoy their time in the kitchen and
you’ll be thankful for the extra pair
of hands that are eager to stir the
pudding this Christmas!
December 2012
69