I’ll let you in on a little secret, but only if you promise to tell everybody… The #1 way to overcome Picky Eater Syndrome (and the parental guilt that often
accompanies it) is to teach our children how to cook. Kids a far more likely to try something new, if they prepared it themselves.It’s true! One of the things I've most enjoyed, in this grand adventure of fatherhood, is teaching my little one the joy of cooking.You see, both my father and grandfather were chefs, and though their own teaching methods were not always…stellar, I'm excited about passing this passion and enjoyment of cooking on to The Pickle, and as many other kids as I
can.
The Secret IngredientWorking closely with under-served youth, many of whom have (literally) never boiled water before, has taught me that fear and anxiety, which most of these kids are already dealing with, only increases the likelihood of an injury, mistake, and discouragement. My personal philosophy is that the younger the child, the more praise…
After years of teaching kids to cook for themselves and their families, I’ve learned that there are those who are happy with omelets, and chicken breasts, and mashed potatoes, but there are others who, once mastering the basics, quickly become bored with “regular food”, and need to branch out into new culinary adventures to keep their interest. I’ve gone through the following steps with children as young as five (including my daughter) and, with a little flexibility and patience, it can be a fun exercise in life-skills and making memories. Chef’s Note: when it stops being fun, stop! You’re not teaching at the Le Cordon Bleu, so tell your inner Iron Chef to lighten up! Forcing a kid to cook will only get you the opposite of what you’re shooting for…a lifetime peanut-butter and ramen eater. Give them a little time to forget those burned brownies or soggy rice, and their natural curiosity will bring them back to the kitchen. Also, don’t let your own bias become theirs! If they pick a recipe…
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