I received a Cooking with Curious Chef Cookbook & Baking Set to facilitate this review; however, all opinions are my own.
The day my daughter called me from college to ask how to boil an egg was a huge blow. It was at that moment that I realized that I’d let her down as a parent. I had tried so hard to be the “perfect” mother, baking and cooking for her and her friends, that I had completely forgotten to teach her how to do basic things like boil an egg.
Ever since that time I remind myself that I am here to teach the next generation how to do the lost art of homemade cooking and baking. Many times I have invited my co-worker’s children to come and bake with me. There is something quite exciting when you see a child’s eyes light up when they’ve made something from scratch. When they can say “I made it myself” it is such a proud moment, and it creates a lifelong memory for them and me as well.
Because I am such an avid baker, I was asked if I would like to review a product for cooking with children and of course I jumped at the chance. I was thrilled to have this awesome opportunity because even though I bake with kids often, it can be hard to explain the “why” behind it. But that’s exactly where this new kids’ cookbook shines. It gives the “why” behind the recipe, and I even learned some new things along the way!
I’m talking about “Cooking with Curious Chef” Cookbook, it is not only a fabulous cookbook, but it is so much more. It’s a well-organized cookbook filled with step-by-step recipes with very clear instructions and photos. Plus, it has games to help your child learn things like the major food groups, but my favorite part of this cookbook for kids is the “connections” section which includes interesting facts about culture, science, art, and history as they relate to the recipe or ingredients. There’s also a section called “a healthier you” which includes tips on how to make healthier choices.
I’m serious when I say that this book includes so many cool things that every time I pick it up, I read something new and interesting that I missed before.
Cooking with Curious Chef & Paisley (Age 2-1/2)
Since I’m known for my cupcake skills, I thought it would be appropriate to try out the Curious Chef Cupcake and Decorating Kit with my 3-year-old granddaughter, Paisley. We used the 16-piece Cupcake and Decorating Kit which includes a 6 cup Teflon coated cupcake pan, six silicone cupcake liners, frosting decorator, six decorating tips, a spoon, and frosting spreader.
Paisley was so excited that this adorable baking kit was all hers! Now she has cupcake making equipment just like grandma and mom do, and they will last her for years! These are real pans and decorating tools and not toys. They are the perfect size for her to use and she loves the bright colors. In fact, from the very start, she made it clear these tools were hers!
We followed the instructions for Vanilla cupcakes from start to finish. Before we started, we placed everything out on the counter listed under the “get ready” section. Then we went to “get set” and followed the numbered instructions.
Honestly, it was fool proof. Even though my granddaughter is under the recommended age, it was clear that she could keep track of the step we were on because she has learned her numbers. As she gets older, Paisley will be able to read the instructions herself, and it won’t be long before she can bake the recipes in this book on her own.
At the top of many of the pages of the Cooking with Curious Chef Cookbook, it says “Practice Makes Perfect!” and yes, it’s a reminder to me that it’s about having fun and if it doesn’t turn out, try it again! Although in our case they did come out perfect!
The family agreed that they tasted as good as some of the cupcakes that I am known for baking. I don’t know if you would ever be able to tell the difference if they were side-by-side.
Paisley and I had an afternoon of fun and memory making. She had to learn patience and to keep her fingers out of the frosting bowl; but more importantly, she learned how to lick the beaters!
I still can’t say enough about the features in this kids’ cookbook. It provides the tools we need to teach Paisley how to cook in a way that’s interesting for her now and will also be in the future. I can’t wait for Paisley’s birthday in April because she will be getting new kits to experiment with and maybe next time I think we will try Italian meatballs! Yum!
Wow! It looks a lot of fun. My kid love to help me cook, so this would be a wonderful gift for her. Thank you for your sharing!
My boys would love the book and chef’s kit. They are really getting into cooking and I even had all 3 of my kids bread some chicken the other day assembly style where each of them had to take a piece and dip it in egg then bread crumbs then put in a baking pan and my youngest topped each piece with shredded cheese. It was so cute.
I love cooking with little kids! It’s so much fun and great for them to learn how to cook and bake
This is so much fun. I son would love this own little town in the kitchen. He plays with mine but these are good to have.
How fun! My daughter loves helping me out in the kitchen. I might get her some of these as a gift soon!
Wow this is brilliant and definitely something I need right now! I love this idea and so will my kids!
My mom got these form y kiddos a few years ago! They absolutely love all of the tools and have so much fun with the recipes!
How fun! My 6 and 3-year-old boys love to help out in the kitchen. I want to instill good cooking skills in them so they can be self-sufficient when older. I still don’t know how to cook much myself, so I know it’s important to start them young!
This is so good! my little guy loves cooking and baking and some of these utensils and recipes would definitely make it more accessible for him!
These look like so much fun! When I was a kid I was obsessed with all the different cooking tools! just a shame that I didn’t pick up a lot of cooking skills while playing with them haha x
Amazing way to help get the kids engaged in cooking
What fun memories you are making by baking together! Also love those cupcake aprons! Perfect for the occassion!
My kids love to help me cook, so this would be a wonderful gift for them. I agree that the why for recipes is usually left out. How great this sounds!
Wow! So cute. This would engage the kids as well and they will surely enjoy their time cooking!
This is so awesome, what child wouldn’t love to do this. Whoever created this really had a great idea
It is true, so many young people live in a fast food culture and don’t know the beauty of cooking from scratch or basic cooking skills. It is never too late to learn and it is great that you are teaching people!
You have the patience that is needed to bake with your granddaughter. The curious chef gives you the equipment but you still need to give the support to the child. By the way I am still learning to boil an egg.
Oh teaching kids to cook is so important! I’m still shocked that most MY friends make cakes by buying a mix in a box! Seriously it’s an underappreciated art and needs to come back into schools IMO.
How cute are those products. My little boys love watching, sometimes its hard to let them help just because of the total craziness it makes.
This is really cool. So much better than an easy bake oven or something, but kids can actually cook and learn their way around kitchens and food and safety!
What an amazing way to engage kids in the cooking (and food) process! I was kinda like your daughter too when I first starting cooking on my own, so I laughed at that memory of yours!
I some time still call my mother-in-law or my grandmother on questions of how to cook certain items and I am in my late 30s. These cooking kits for kids look fabulous
I love this so much! My oldest son LOVES to help out in the kitchen and I encourage it as much as possible!