Fun and Easy Kids Cooking Classes for the Holiday Season

[Chef Diane]

I know I read on here somewhere that some of you cheffers have done cooking classes with kids. I was wondering what recipes you did and what products they got to take home with them.

I'd like to do a couple over Christmas/winter break. Was thinking about doing something with the decorator bottles, its the perfect EAD size for their little hands. Any suggestions, menu ideas?

 

[pcleah]

My kids like to make indiv. pizzas. I use canned biscuts, they each roll them out with the bakers roller, add their own toppings. They have a lot of fun with them. Mini pies are also fun. Make a few diff fillings (chopped apples w/cinn sugar etc) and use ready made pie dough with the cut and seal. Have fun!

 

[pcjulie]

No More!I have to say that I think I'm done doing Mommy and Me Shows. They seem to be twice the work for half the profit. The kids and (usually) the adults enjoy them, but I don't think they realize that I would like to make some money for the time and energy I put into the evening. I have a degree in El. Ed. and love working with kids, but those shows are total stress for me! Trying to keep 15-20 children of all ages occupied, the parents happy, and 4-6 recipes flowing makes me .

I think a small group of older elementary children would be fun, though. It would be neat to teach them a recipe for them to make at home for their families. 1 recipe+small group of children=happy consultant! Maybe I'll try to promote that idea instead!

 

[Grandmarita]

My experience with kids ranges from my pre-school grands and their 12 yr. old brother, and Mom, to 6 early teen girls and 5 Moms. No question, it is work,
more than for a normal (all adults party). True, the sales are low but the fun is high. We could not survive on this party for every party. I have such fond memories of these special parties that one a month would be ideal. The teen party was a repeat hostess, and one of her guests had been a hostess, after the first party. I'm expecting we will be doing it again before the girls "age out". Once that happens, I pray the Moms will continue to book. I'm also hoping "word of mouth" about my fun parties will generate a few other kids parties. When I signed in April 2005, that had been my dream. It still is.

 

[pamperedcindy]

I do Cooking Shows for Teenagers once a month. Almost like a Home Econ. class. We go over kitchen safety then make an appetizer, main dish and dessert. The Teens love it and look forward to it every month. I tell their parents I charge $50 per child and $30 for sibling, but when the leave the receive a bag of goodies (product worth about 50 including shipping) I have 6 Teens (boys and girls) so it counts as a show. So we all benifit from the class. This month the kids are experienced enough with the tools that we are doing an amazing race show and party afterwards. I sit down with the kids at the end of our class and we as a team plan the menu for next month.

Cindy Munesato
Future Director
Gardena, Ca

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I do Cooking Shows for Teenagers once a month. Almost like a Home Econ. class. We go over kitchen safety then make an appetizer, main dish and dessert. The Teens love it and look forward to it every month. I tell their parents I charge $50 per child and $30 for sibling, but when the leave the receive a bag of goodies (product worth about 50 including shipping) I have 6 Teens (boys and girls) so it counts as a show. So we all benifit from the class. This month the kids are experienced enough with the tools that we are doing an amazing race show and party afterwards. I sit down with the kids at the end of our class and we as a team plan the menu for next month.

Cindy Munesato
Future Director
Gardena, Ca

How did you find this group of teens? Is it something you advertised? If so - how did you advertise? This sounds like so much fun!

 

[Chef Diane]

yes I agree

I have to say that I think I'm done doing Mommy and Me Shows. They seem to be twice the work for half the profit. The kids and (usually) the adults enjoy them, but I don't think they realize that I would like to make some money for the time and energy I put into the evening. I have a degree in El. Ed. and love working with kids, but those shows are total stress for me! Trying to keep 15-20 children of all ages occupied, the parents happy, and 4-6 recipes flowing makes me .

I think a small group of older elementary children would be fun, though. It would be neat to teach them a recipe for them to make at home for their families. 1 recipe+small group of children=happy consultant! Maybe I'll try to promote that idea instead!

15-20 kids would be a handful then to add 4-6 recipes. No way would I do this. I am keeping the class to 6 and only doing 1 or 2 recipes. Short easy recipes. Thought I'd try it out and see how it works over the winter break. If anything it would be fun once a month, to stay active anyway.

I'd like to know more about the teens too, that sounds like something I could get used to doing. Not a reg show? sure, but educational for all of us.