In the Come and Cook with Us partnership, I usually let Kathrin handle any topics associated with cooking for children as she has them, and I do not. Recently, however, I had the good fortune to visit with her family and receive a first hand lesson in cooking WITH kids from Kathrin’s oldest boy, 7-year-old Finn. Ever the adventurer, Finn has just recently started making eggs with his Dad on Sunday mornings, so when I realized we would be having dinner together in the evening I invited Finn to co-chef with me. The result? Quality time together, some powerful lessons in patience, a delicious dinner, and a proud child who is excited to try just about anything. In honor of this experience, Kathrin and I are kicking off a mini-series on cooking with children, starting with the top 10 reasons to invite you children to the stove today. Come and cook with us!
1. Kids will eat (or at least try) what they cook, so it’s a great way to introduce new flavors.
2. Kids can begin to learn where food comes from, and how to prepare it – invaluable for when the finally fly the coop.
3. Sometimes doing is the only way to appreciate the work that goes into cooking.
4. Eating across all tastes and flavors ensures a good balance of vitamins and minerals; as they season and taste food kids learn how to differentiate between different tastes, and what they really like.
5. Let’s face it, it’s fun to be messy.
6. It builds great memories.
7. If you can allow them some room to do (right or wrong), cooking can serve as a great confidence builder; its easier said than done when knives and flames are involved, but you can certainly watch carefully.
8. It teaches us patience – making sliders or summer rolls or sushi take time, and require multiple steps!
9. It is a critical life skill that all people need and it makes kids more self-sufficient and independent.
10. It’s cheap labor.
So, next time you have dinner prep on the to do list (which is, hopefully, tonight) invite your kid to join you. You just might be surprised what you find. (Though what Kathrin wants to know is when we’re moving from “cooking with children” to “cleaning up with children”….) Come and cook with us!
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Come and Cook with Us 
My granddaughters love to cook with me. The youngest said,”I want to be a cooker like you, grandma.”
Nancy, I’d love to be a “cooker” like you as well. Kathrin