Cooking can be an essential and entertaining skill for kids |
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Tim Giguere, an instructor at What's Cooking, Kids?, works with the children on tempering chocolate that will go into making Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.
Tim Giguere, an instructor at What's Cooking, Kids?, works with the children on tempering chocolate that will go into making Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies.
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By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
EAST LONGMEADOW There is a science behind cooking, and What's Cooking, Kids? proprietor Jennifer Mathews of Longmeadow relishes every chance to engage kids in both realms.
During a Martha Stewart Cookie Swap on Dec. 18, youngsters were knee-deep in dough, learning the basics for making chocolate thumbprint cookies, oatmeal cranberry chip cookies, gingerbread people, monogrammed sugar cookies and chocolate chunk macaroons. The cookie swap was part of a series of afterschool classes for youngsters ages five to 14.
"There is a lot of math and science that goes into cooking," Mathews said during an interview with Reminder Publications. "The kids do a lot of measuring with fractions."
Mathews explained that because she offers a different theme each week in her cooking classes, she is constantly introducing new cuisines and cooking techniques. During the past year, Mathews and her staff have featured cuisine from Italy, China, Japan, Ireland, England, Thailand, Spain, Mexico and France. As part of each class, she also reviews proper etiquette techniques with her students.
"I love working with the children," Mathews added, who has two children, Ella, 6, and William 4, who both "love to cook."
"I wanted to start working outside the home again and this business is the perfect blend of my business and early education background," she said. "Both children spend a lot of time here, so it is great to be able to share my work and passion with my family."
Her mission is to provide young chefs with a fun environment to learn how to cook healthy, nutritious meals.
"Our meals are portion controlled, which is a huge problem in our nation today," she said. "Cooking is a skill that the children will take with them throughout life. It's important for families to know that cooking healthy can be delicious and easy."
Ultimately, Mathews said her ideal goal would be to bring back the family dinner.
During interviews with several of her students, Mathews' idea of resurrecting the family dinner may be catching on.
Heather Morton, 10, of East Longmeadow, has been taking classes for a year with Mathews and noted her inspiration to take lessons is the fun she receives cooking for her mom. When Morton finishes a recipe, she said she feels "a good sense of accomplishment."
Brothers Damon and Joe D'Amico, 10 and 12, respectively, of East Longmeadow, echoed those sentiments.
"I like to cook with my mom," said Damon, adding that even though being patient and following directions can be challenging, it is "worth it to be able to eat it at the end."
Joe noted he prefers the hands-on activities during the cooking classes and finds that measuring ingredients can be "difficult."
For some students, their parents may have prodded them a bit to take cooking classes, but the time and effort have paid dividends.
"My mom made me sign up," Katie Stocks, 8, of Longmeadow, said, "but I actually like it now."
Wrapping up her first year of classes, Alexa Lafond, 9, of East Longmeadow, enjoys the experience of showing her family how to make the recipes she's learned in class at home.
"I love when the children try something new," Mathews said. "There is a lot of trust involved in getting a 6-year-old to try new foods each week. Sometimes they love it, sometimes they don't. But they keep trying because they know what went into the recipe and they made it with their own hands."
Mathews noted that her joy of cooking makes her a good cook and her background in early education makes her a good teacher. Mathews also employs two instructors, Tim Giguere and Judy Schweiger, and Jenna Goodman as the creative director.
Throughout the year, Mathews also hosts a Celebrity Chef Series which features chefs from regional restaurants including The Federal and Max's Tavern, recreating their signature dishes. In 2009, she plans to launch her own Iron Chef competition.
"I have the privilege of working with great chefs and teachers which is why the business is so successful," added Mathews. "We all love to cook and eat good food."
In the coming weeks, Mathews will also expand her adult cooking classes.
"There is a great demand for cooking classes for our parents," she said.
Her answer is a Supper Club that focuses on a different menu and culinary skills, including a basic knife-skills class, make-ahead Valentine's Day dinner and a stress-free brunch.
"The concept is to give adults a once-a-month night out with other friends where cooking skills are learned and honed while having fun," she said.
Like all classes for children, Mathews' Supper Club-goers will learn appropriate food preparation, proper cooking techniques and portion control.
"Guests will be able to easily recreate the delicious recipes at home," she added.
As the children were wrapping up their 90-minute cookie class, there were still decorative boxes to fill with their culinary delights, along with the recipes. Mathews shares one of the Martha Stewart recipes with Reminder readers below.
"The recipe is something a little different and definitely only made this time of year when you can find fresh cranberries," she said.
What's Cooking, Kids? is located at 41 Maple St. Shop hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with weekend hours set aside for birthday parties, special events and party functions.
The business boasts an immaculate kitchen area that students use for their lessons as well as a retail shop that offers gifts galore, including kitchen gadgets, cookbooks and bowls, mugs and aprons. In addition, the shop features a complete line of accessories from "The Little Cook."
For a complete list of classes for children and adults, visit www.whatscookingkids.com. For more information on What's Cooking, Kids?, call 224-1208 or send an e-mail to info@whatscookingkids.com.
Oatmeal Cranberry Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups flour, sifted
1 tsp baking soda, sifted
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup toffee pieces, like Skor
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. In large bowl, cream butter. Add sugars and mix. Scrape down the bowl. Add egg and vanilla. Mix together the flour and baking soda in small bowl. Add to the creamed mixture. Add the oatmeal, cranberries, chocolate and toffee. Mix with wooden spoon. Scoop onto parchment paper by a heaping tablespoon. Bake for eight to 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 50 cookies.
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