I decided that this summer I will get the grandchildren together, as their busy schedules permit and do actual cooking classes.
I typed up a teaching manual and areas we are going to cover in our classes are:
- SAFETY
- EQUIPMENT
- KITCHEN ORGANIZATION
- WET/DRY INGREDIENTS
- BAKING VS COOKING
- BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
- APPETIZERS/SNACKS
- LUNCH
- SUPPER
- SWEET TREATS
- PARTY TIME
- MEAL PLANNING/GROCERY LISTS
- PREPARING A 4 COURSE MEAL FOR OUR FAMILIES
Our first class was with the 4 pre-teen and teenage girls. 
The morning started with donuts, drinks and reviewing the agenda. Besides going through part of our manual, we had school news updates, texting reviews, selfies, a few dancing and singing interruptions and a lot of laughs. 
We had a break for lunch at their choice place of Chick-fil-A which also happened to be National Eat Chicken Day….people everyplace dressed in cow costumes. We then returned to the kitchen and they each chose something they wanted to make. Two of them wanted to do parfaits; one chose a big chocolate chip cookie cake, and the other wanted home-style chicken and noodles. I gave them some instructions, they helped each other and they read recipes by themselves. At the end of the day, all of their foods were wonderful, the kitchen and dining room were trashed and everyone had so much fun.
One of the moms called to say her two daughters had so much fun and they sent her a list of things they needed from the store so they could do some more cooking. They texted me a picture of a pan of brownies they had made too. They were so proud and I felt so good about it all. I know many grandparents spend time in the kitchen with their grandchildren and I think these are the best memories we can make with them.
This is delightful! I want to do exactly the same thing! I know parents appreciate a grandmother who contributes positively to the family, and what better way than to combine fun with a lifetime skill that everybody benefits from?
btw – I want to push that pretty girl out of the way and gobble that parfait up myself!
I wish I could have more time with them but their schedules are so busy. It will take us a year to get all of our lessons in but we will keep working on them. Thank you for your kind comments.
I love that you created a teaching manual and everything! Those girls will all be so self confident when the time comes that they are each on their own. Plus the kitchen will always remind them of you. Love the dance pictures!!!!
I kept catching them texting people..haha..I tried to tell them how you don’t want to be distracted when you are measuring ingredients. I guess they didn’t consider social media a distraction. Wouldn’t we have fun if you and I were neighbors!! Amara would have fun with them too.
Awwww! This is such an awesome post! This summer we got to keep our granddaughter for a week and I had so much fun cooking with her! She is STILL telling her mom about how she learned that spaghetti sauce comes from tomatoes! I also love that when my nieces and nephews come over they are always asking what we are going to make! The kitchen is one of the best place to make memories with family!
They do love it and have such great memories. A lot of people just don’t cook anymore so kids miss out on learning a lot of things. She will always think of the things you taught her.