What’s Your Cooking Style?

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Different things can draw people to participate in meal preparation. In the kitchen, there’s really something for everyone! Take a look at some of the examples below to find strategies for getting your kids involved with family meals.

• The builder is like the engineer. She or he may become enamored with kitchen gadgets and equipment that does a specific job, so make the builder’s gadget requests and use a part of your time in the kitchen.
• The artist, on the other hand, might not want to make a whole meal. Set him/her to work making an elaborate table setting, a beautiful plate for the main meal, or a pretty salad. Plating meals can be fun for artists too, especially if you have sauces in squirt bottles, ready to be “painted” on the plates.
• Let the musician listen to music while cooking or choose the music that is played during dinner!
• Have kids who are interested in writing make lists of meal ideas, write recipes, or create their own cookbook.
• Allow the aspiring chef as much freedom in the kitchen as possible. You may be amazed at some ingredient combinations or gourmet preparations.
• Give the gardener opportunities to grow herbs or vegetables for the kitchen.
• The shopper might like to buy pots and pans, kitchen equipment, plates, or neat produce at the farmers market.
• The social butterfly might like inviting friends to dinner and posting pictures of meals on Facebook.

Excerpted from No Battles Better Eating, by Chef Judy Doherty, PC II