I love the kitchen. Not only is it the place where delicious things happen, but it’s the heart of the home where family members gather to talk, cook, and eat together. If there’s a kid in your family I’ll bet he or she has popped into the kitchen before mealtime, asking “Whatchya making?” and “Can I help?”
Well, that budding curiosity and interest in food can be the catalyst for developing amazing skills that will last a lifetime.
I’m Dianne Linderman. I’m a chef, an entrepreneur, and also a mom. I love and work with kids. I love kids because they’re totally themselves, especially when I’m with them in the kitchen. From the whir of a blender to the crackle of a hot frying pan to the warm aroma of freshly baked cookies, I watch how the process of cooking captivates their senses and attention. And nothing beats the smiles on their faces when they take that first bite of whatever dish they prepared. Inspiring kids through cooking has always been and continues to be my mission.
So, I am thrilled to be bringing Kids Cooking Academy and Farm Experience to Stephenville, TX. Classes begin May 2019.
As founder of Great Entertainment Company, I spend a lot of time on the road, traveling across America, spreading the joy of cooking to families and kids through my Kids Can Cook! events at state and county fairs, festivals, and rodeos. After setting up our custom-built cooking stage with eight workstations, I take kids out of the audience and teach them how to make something from scratch. Many kids who want to participate are shy about getting in front of an audience, but I say to them, “You stand next to me, and I’m going to show you how to make something amazing!”
And they do! I show them how to take a few simple ingredients and prepare a yummy dish. Some kids get to crack an egg for the first time and then make a piece of French toast. Others take their favorite fresh fruit and make a tasty frappe in a blender. Completing a dish on their own brings them great joy and pride. They shout with excitement, “Wow—I made this myself! Yes, I can cook!”
Best of all, these kids gain all the confidence they need to go home and cook. My no-fail recipes ensure that children of any skill level can turn out a delicious dish!
Here’s the other cool thing that happens—kids eat what they make! I've had parents say to me, “I've never seen my kid eat a tomato or an avocado before.” But when I teach them how to make a decadent grilled cheese and tomato sandwich or homemade guacamole or salsa with homemade corn chips, even the youngest or pickiest eaters will take a bite and surprise themselves by how tasty many unfamiliar foods can be.
Looking to capture the hands-on experience of these events and share them with kids and families everywhere, I created a new cookbook. “Kids Can Cook” is a collection of easy to prepare, parent approved recipes that I’ve been demonstrating and serving up at cooking classes for kids—as well as for my children and their friends—for many years.
Cooking is not only fun, but it also nourishes the body and soul. Over the last few decades, America has become a fast food nation where families are increasingly busy, often eating on the run or picking up take out. That means kids are not always eating as well as they should. When kids develop an interest in cooking, however, they become more aware of what they eat and how. Let’s face it—nothing beats a home cooked meal. It’s more affordable, healthier, and encourages kids to eat better and healthier for years to come. And when children enjoy trying their hands at cooking, they bring mealtimes back to the table.
The act of cooking also increases academic ability through reading, understanding, and following recipes (reading comprehension), measurements (math), science (through baking), and encouraging interest in the origins of the food we eat (social studies).
Kids Can Cook is more than just a cookbook. It’s also a guide on how the activity of cooking can build confidence, inspire creativity, and foster independence. After decades of working with children and teens, many of whom were troubled, insecure, or lacking direction, I discovered that cooking with them provides focus and a pathway to achievement. To be able to cook something from scratch in a short amount of time and have that recipe come out delicious is the secret to my success in helping kids open up their minds and potential.
Cooking also diverts attention from electronic screen time and promotes personal connection with others through engagement with others both in the kitchen and in the dining room. And when children share what they cook with others and see, firsthand, the favorable responses to those efforts, the pride and joy boost their self-esteem.
Kids Can Cook takes the experience one step further by demonstrating a way to turn that pastime into a profit! Whether a simple lemonade, baking and selling cupcakes, or transforming a delicious hobby into a side business, we’ll provide tips and tools for taking things to the next level and nurturing kids’ entrepreneurial spirits.
Best of all, cooking brings families together, not just by eating together, but by spending time in the kitchen, talking, bonding, and creating meals together.
With the Kids Cooking Academy and Farm Experience, I’m excited to share my wisdom, experience, and recipes from my kitchen to yours!
