Kitchen Education
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help in the kitchen? Show your kids how to prepare meals (and clean up after them!) and they’ll learn valuable life skills along the way, including food safety and how to feed their potential for a lifetime. Tonight’s dinner could become the ultimate teaching moment with these tips from Aramark Chef Tim Zintz, Director of Culinary Development, and father of 11-year-old twins.
Let Them Act Their Age
Even preschoolers have a role to play! Simple tasks like opening packages and squeezing lemons are perfect for little hands. Plus, the earlier kids start to learn how to cook, the sooner they’ll be able to do it for you! LITTLE HELPERS
Sharpen Their Skills
Give kids some basic kitchen knowledge, such as measuring (which can be a counting or math lesson!), stirring or mixing, basic food sanitation and safety, and even some knife skills, depending on their age. KIDS IN-THE-KNOW
Let Them Lead
Watch your kids’ creativity flow when you let them take charge in the kitchen. After all, trial-and-error can be a powerful learning tool. Take it from Chef Zintz. It’s also a great time to expose them to new ingredients they might not normally try. Think pomegranate seeds or roasted chickpeas! HANDS-ON LEARNING
Note: Since everyone’s health history and nutritional needs are so different, please make sure that you talk with your doctor and a registered dietitian to get advice about the diet and exercise plan that‘s right for you.