Kids master the kitchen

Parents got a break from the kitchen on May 31 as their children served them dinner at the Yorkton Boys and Girls Club (YBGC).

Kid chefs made sweet potato samosas and butter tarts. Families enjoyed their meals while reading through cookbooks. The dinner was the culmination of an eight-week program.

“We’ve [had] cooking programs, but to not this extent,” said Amanda Ring, program coordinator with YBGC. “This was a little different.”

YBGC has participated in the Kid Food Nation program for the last two months. The cross-Canada program enlisted 30 youth clubs to host cooking classes. YBGC was the only Saskatchewan youth club to participate.

“We had to apply for a grant process,” Ring said.

The class involved children ages six to 12. They attended classes every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ring and her team received training prior to the start of the course.

Every class focused on different recipes and cooking techniques. Kids learned about peeling, chopping, mashing, kneading, and other kitchen skills.

“These guys surprised the heck out of me,” Ring said. “I myself even learned things.”

The kids did more than cook; they learned about nutrition and healthy food choices. The program discussed proper portions and how to enjoy the occasional sweet treat.

“[The program] educates children on...what healthy eating looks like,” Ring said. “There was a module to follow.”

Ring was surprised by the children’s willingness to try new meals.

“We have a lot of picky eaters in this group and...[they] experienced new food they really enjoyed,” she said. “Watching them grow like that was amazing.”

Ring surveyed the children at the end of the course to see what they learned and what they liked or didn’t like about the program. Ring will submit her findings to Kid Food Nation.

“We’re still a trial basis program,” she said.

Kids received certificates and cookbooks at the end of the program.

YBGC will run the Kid Food Nation program again in the fall. It will follow the same format, but Ring plans to change her teaching style.

“We need to cook first and then do the education piece while they’re waiting for stuff to cook,” she said. “That’s what we’re going to do in the fall.”

Registration for Kid Food Nation will open in September. Parents who wish to enroll their children in the program can contact YBGC at that time.