They slice, they dice, they garnish with flair and then sometimes they burst into tears when the dish just doesn’t turn out well. Children competing on cooking shows are the new darlings of reality television.
As young as 8 years old, they impress audiences with their culinary skills, which inspire kids watching the shows.
“I’ve seen a positive shift in kids’ comfort levels in the kitchen,” registered dietitian Liz Weiss said. “Maybe it’s all the kids’ cooking shows on TV, or the adult TV cooking shows that kids love to watch, but, indeed, kids are getting more comfy in the kitchen.”
“Master Chef Junior” on Fox started it all, but now the number of kids cooking shows is rising faster than yeast dough on a hot day. It seems there’s no shortage of kids willing to take the heat in the TV kitchen.
Rather than the rigors of competitive sports, these young chefs have chosen the kitchen as their playing field.
We are not surprised when kids are math whizzes, violin prodigies or sports stars, so why be in awe of children gifted in the culinary arts?
It all starts with practicing the basics. “When my boys were first learning to play soccer, they’d practice juggling for hours on end until they were able to juggle the ball 50 times,” Weiss said. “While exercise and academics are critical skills for kids to master, so is cooking.”
Healthy kitchen lessons
There might not be a TV crew following the food, but cooking with kids at home can be more than just entertaining.
"Cooking reinforces math lessons learned in school, requires cooperation and concentration, involves reading and following directions, and encourages good nutrition," said Weiss, who blogs on family nutrition with kid-friendly recipes at mealmakeovermoms.com.
“When kids get involved in food prep, they’re more likely to try new foods, turning picky eaters into power eaters,” she said.
Kitchen tips for kids
Choose age-appropriate tasks. A 5-year-old can stir the batter. An 8-year-old can handle a plastic serrated knife. Kid-sized oven mitts and cooking tools are a plus.
Inspire creativity. Set out fresh ingredients to add to smoothies or top a pizza, and ask kids to create their own recipes.
“Kids love a challenge, and who doesn’t love to eat?” Weiss said.
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