READER’S QUESTIONS QWhat do think of Junior MasterChef? AI think some of the young contestants are quite talented. And, while there’s a fine line between being confident and a precocious brat, it’s nothing a whack over the back of the knuckles with an egg whisk wouldn’t fix. QWhat are the benefits of cooking with teenagers? AIt’s a wonderful way to communicate. You’re not likely to learn much just asking your teenage daughter ‘what’s wrong?’ But if you’re cooking together she’s far more likely to tell you she’s just had her navel pierced and is dating a 32 year old divorcee she met on the internet. QWhat kitchen tasks are suitable for pre- schoolers? ACaramelizing sugar can be a valuable introduction to not only cooking but also chemistry and pain management.
 
Kids in the Kitchen I’ve always been a big believer in the value of teaching children to cook. It’s remarkable what young ones can achieve if left alone with a hot stove and some suitably sharp knives. And the benefits are many. For a start, it improves self-esteem. When young chefs say, ‘I made it myself’, they feel a sense of accomplishment, which you can then ever-so-gently crush by pointing out all the burnt bits. Cooking also helps children to understand nutrition and healthy eating. We used to talk to our daughter Dymphna about the fat content of everything she was making, the amount of calories each dish contained and how much exercise would be needed to work it off. This information proved enormously valuable years later when she was admitted to the Eating Disorders Clinic. Working in the kitchen even builds vocabulary skills. When children cook, they are exposed to new words such as ‘skillet’, ‘aioli’, ‘desiccated’, ‘botulism’ and ‘superficial burns’. Here’s a few tips for making sure your kids cooking experience runs smoothly. Hygiene is an issue, as one never quite knows where little fingers have been. Start your session by getting everyone to wash their hands. It’s worth running very small children through the dishwasher (although make sure to use the ‘delicate’ setting). Instruct children to direct sneezes and coughs away from food and on to each other and if anyone looks particularly sick you might consider lining their dishes with antibacterial wipes. Finally, remember to have patience. Don't worry about flour on the floor or spilled milk. This can always be cleaned up later, and the person responsible then grounded or forced to do extra chores.
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