COOKING CLASSES FOR KIDS By Seidy Selivanow

Fall 2013

Thanks to Reser Family Foundation for funding this 4 weeks program.

In the safe professional environment of our certified commercial kitchen these four classes were a great opportunity to show kids that cooking can be creative, and a whole lot of fun. The classes were offered at Reedville Apartments in Aloha. I had eight little chefs ages 9 – 14 years old. Each week was designed to familiarize children with diverse foods, while they experienced what it feels like to create and taste recipes themselves!

Tuna melts, crepes, scones, granola, parfaits, and French toast were some of the recipes that the little chefs were able to learn, and to cook themselves. Each class consisted of one and a half hours, and during this time children learnt how to properly wash their hands, food preparation, age appropriate culinary skills, cooking and baking techniques, and much more.

I sure enjoyed cooking with these little chefs, and I can say that they enjoyed their time in the kitchen too.

RESULTS OF THE PRE/POST TESTS

1.- Circle the foods that are in the grain group. (Bread/potato/bananas/ pasta/cheese/ candy bar)2.-Circle the foods that are in the vegetable group ( Eggs/lettuce/carrots/orange/cereal/steak)3.- Circle the foods that are in the fruit group (Corn/ muffin/ strawberry/ eggs/ burger/ apple)4.- Circle the foods that are in the milk group(Yogurt/ bananas/ eggs/ peanut butter/ cheese)5.- Circle the foods that are in the meat and beans group ( Chicken/ pasta/ ice cream/ eggs/ broccoli/ potato)6.- Do you know what is my plate?7.- This is known as the sunshine vitamin?8.- Ice cream belongs to which group?9.- Making dinner at home is healthier than fast food because you know exactly what you are putting in your meal? (True/ false)

It was really nice to find out that the kids were able to answer mostly all the questions right during the first week. They had lots of desires to learn, and to cook healthy meals.

The results of the final tests showed that the kids obtain 99% of the answers right.