Laying a foundation for a healthy attitude to food starts long before children are old enough to independently prepare a simple meal. That confidence and know-how is far more likely to come later if you are willing to invest the time in teaching them when they are young and impressionable.
I think it’s important to encourage an interest in food and cooking right from toddlerhood, and my three have all cut their cooking teeth alongside me from as young as two. No, we don’t start handing out small appliances for them to use, but they begin by measuring and stirring to build confidence and encourage participation.
My two-year-old, Clara, has taken to lugging a chair from the dining room table into the kitchen and pushing it up to the counter whenever she sees me setting up to cook or bake. I spend a lot of time keeping busy in there and she’s noticed that it’s a fun (and tasty!) place to be, so it’s only natural for her to want to emulate my kitchen activity.
It’s important to remember that all children are different, however. Interest levels and attention spans vary vastly, and you’ll know just how much to attempt with your child. Over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about cooking alongside very small children, and I’m a lot more relaxed with Clara than I was when her older brothers were her age.
Today I’m going to share a few pointers for teaching toddlers in the kitchen:
Start them with a toy kitchen
For very little ones (9-24 months), start them with a toy kitchen and go through the motions of stirring, cutting, etc. If it holds their interest, you’re off to a good start.
Work one-on-one
Instead of managing a whole pack of siblings at the counter, plan to work with one child at a time and make the most of those teachable moments.
Pick a recipe with instant results
A child’s interest in food preparation is piqued when he or she can sample the end result quickly. Smoothies, fresh juices, salads, wraps and sandwiches are all good options for “fast food”. My kids love my easy Hemp cocoa bites, which are a healthy treat that come together in just a few minutes.
Prep ingredients ahead of time
If you are baking, or have a lengthy list of ingredients for a particular recipe, aim to measure them out and line them up before you invite your child to join you in the kitchen.
Let them sample along the way
Tasting is half the fun and offers many teachable moments. Have your child smell ingredients as well as touch and taste when applicable. It will introduce them to and help them become familiar with a whole new world of flavours.
Work clean
Make sure your counter or table is uncluttered and there is nothing in your toddler’s reach that could injure them or disrupt the work. Also, keep a small stack of clean-up rags nearby for the inevitable spills.
Stand solid and safe
Set your toddler on a sturdy chair with a back and never leave their side. Seriously – never leave the child unattended for any reason.
Yep, I said it and I stand by it.
Keep calm and carry on!
Keep bringing your toddler into the kitchen and, as they grow up, cooking from scratch will become second nature to them.
A final thought: plenty of praise is key for continuing on this kitchen tour. Heap on the encouragement and watch them beam with pride.
FAQs
In November 2023, Jamie Oliver opened a new restaurant in London, his first since the collapse of his restaurant chain. Jamie Oliver Catherine Street was launched in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber's LW Theatres at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
What is Jamie Oliver doing now? ›
In November 2023, Jamie Oliver opened a new restaurant in London, his first since the collapse of his restaurant chain. Jamie Oliver Catherine Street was launched in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber's LW Theatres at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
How many kids did Jamie Oliver get? ›
How many children does Jamie Oliver have? Jamie and Jools have five children together, three daughters and two sons. The couple have also sadly experienced five miscarriages in total.
How to involve a 2 year old in cooking? ›
Tips for teaching toddlers in the kitchen
- Start them with a toy kitchen. ...
- Work one-on-one. ...
- Pick a recipe with instant results. ...
- Prep ingredients ahead of time. ...
- Let them sample along the way. ...
- Work clean. ...
- Stand solid and safe. ...
- Don't be afraid to teach knife skills to a toddler.
Oliver's parents were owners of a pub-restaurant in Clavering, Essex. After persistently begging the chefs to let him assist, he was allowed to work in the kitchen. At age 16 Oliver entered the Westminster Catering College before traveling to France for additional training and experience.
Who is richer, Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay? ›
Jamie Oliver (net worth $300 million) Gordon Ramsay (net worth $220 million) Nobu Matsuhisa (net worth $200 million) Wolfgang Puck (net worth $120 million)
Are Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay friends? ›
Overall, the shade between Jamie and Gordon has always been for show and headlines, in reality they're good friends and it's just a bit of kitchen banter.'
Is Jamie Oliver a Michelin star chef? ›
And the second name in this European ranking — none other than Jamie Oliver — doesn't hold a single Michelin star, despite being the subject of 4.4 million Google searches last year, compared with 1 million for Alain Ducasse.
At what age did Jamie Oliver get married? ›
When did Jools and Jamie Oliver get married? Jools and Jamie tied the knot on 24 June 2000, after dating for eight years since they were both 17.
What is the best age for a child to cook? ›
5- to 7-Year-Old Cooks
They can handle measuring, mixing, pouring, grating, and peeling, as well as setting the table. They still need constant supervision, but you may let them use a sharp knife—keeping in mind that the size of the knife should be appropriate for the child's hand and ability to manage it.
When can you start baking with toddlers? Toddlers are ready to join you in the kitchen as early as about 18 months of age. You can start small, giving them easy tasks like whisking the flour and stirring the batter. As they grow older and gain more experience with baking, they can be given more responsibilities.
When should I introduce my toddler to cooking? ›
Cooking with the under 3s
Your little one may not be able to dress himself or go to the toilet on her own but from around 18 months, your child will probably want to start 'helping you out' in the kitchen. Take advantage of their interest to give yourself a break.
Is Gordon Ramsay a better chef than Jamie Oliver? ›
As a cook Gordon is the more classically schooled chef, Jamie without a doubt makes good tasting food. But the food Gordon produces is more refined. He has earned lots of Michelin stars a lot of those stars is not achieved by Gordon himself, he can't be a hands on chef in all his restaurants.
What age did Jamie Oliver start cooking? ›
The pub also served as a restaurant business, and it was there Jamie learned the deeds of cooking as a child. By the time he was 11 he was already doing basic meal prep with the rest of the staff. He left school when he was 16. He considered himself to be a “special needs kid” and felt like school had let him down.
Did Gordon Ramsay go to school for cooking? ›
Ramsay enrolled at North Oxfordshire Technical College, sponsored by the Rotarians, to study hotel management. He described his decision to enter catering college as "a complete accident". In the mid-1980s, Ramsay worked as a commis chef at the Wroxton House Hotel.
Why did Jamie Oliver go out of business? ›
Jamie Oliver has spoken about how rising rents and rates contributed to the downfall of his UK restaurant business. Speaking on the News Agents podcast, Oliver said he hadn't “lost faith” in the restaurant industry and that he was still a “restaurateur at heart”.
How many Jamie Oliver restaurants are still open? ›
Jamie Oliver Kitchen will sit alongside the other brands in the international restaurant portfolio: Jamie's Italian, Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria, Jamie's Deli and Jamie Oliver's Diner. The Jamie Oliver Group currently operates 70 restaurants across 27 markets, collaborating with 20 franchise partners.
Did Jamie Oliver remarry? ›
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Juliette 'Jools' Norton have renewed their vows in a Las Vegas ceremony to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary. The couple, who first tied the knot in July 2000, chose the famous Graceland Wedding Chapel for their vow renewal and had an Elvis impersonator serenade them.
How much is Jamie Oliver worth in 2024? ›
Jamie Oliver – Net Worth: $235 Million
The experience equipped him with the basics of food service and business management. By the time he was 16, he attended a culinary school to further hone his skills and learn new things.
