Jenny Chandler
Food writer, cookery teacher and former UN FAO Special Ambassador for Pulses, Jenny (jennychandlerblog.com) hosts demonstrations and writes for Borough Market.
Her latest book is Green Kids Cook.
Kitchen Safety
Kids who are involved in the prep and cook of healthy foods are more likely to eat them. But if anxiety around kitchen safety when cooking with kids holds you back, make sure to check out expert Jenny Chandler’s tips below to make it easy!
Kids who are involved in the prep and cook of healthy foods are more likely to eat them. But if anxiety around kitchen safety when cooking with kids holds you back, make sure to check out expert Jenny Chandler’s tips below to make it easy!
KITCHEN SAFETY
Don’t let worry about kitchen safety get in the way of cooking with kids. Expert Jenny Chandler has some golden rules for the kitchen to read with your children so you can get cooking safely. Have a read together before they try to earn their Kitchen Ninja status!
My Golden Rules
Safety First
Always cook with an adult. Let them know you want to do some cooking, show them the recipe or explain what it is you want to cook, and lay everything out that you need to be sure you have it all and it is within reach. Read the recipe through in full before you start, and make sure to ask for help on any parts of it that you know will be tricky for you. Make sure you have oven gloves, tea towels, aprons and somewhere to put down sharp knives to keep your prep space space, watch out for plugs and blades on appliances, and only start when you have an adult for supervision.
Keep Clean and Tidy
Always wash your hands before you begin. Tie back long hair. Wear an apron. Clean your work surface. Get everything you need ready for the recipe. Wash chopping boards, equipment and hands between jobs. Take extra care to wash everything well when handling raw meat or fish, and try to use separate chopping boards from raw meat or fish and veg or cooked foods, too. Bear allergies in mind if there are some in your family and use separate tools if you need to.
Watch the Heat
Always use proper oven gloves and take care when opening the oven door or taking the lid off the pan. Hold onto the pan handle while stirring to keep it stable. Metal spoons get very hot so use a wooden one for stirring over the heat.
Be Switched On
Ask permission before using electrical equipment and get help from an adult. Always dry hands before plugging in or switching on. Never put your fingers near the blades or whisks of any electrical appliance. Switch off and unplug electrical items before washing – ask an adult for help.
Using Knives
Always ask an adult for help with this. Learn how to safely chop using the “bridge” and “claw” (see our Ninja skills list to learn these). Use a knife that is not too large or heavy in your hand (start small with butter knives and soft veg before you progress to sharp knives). Focus on the chopping, limit distractions. And don’t forget that peelers and graters are sharp, too, so make sure that you have a flat, steady chopping board to work on and watch your fingers and knuckles.
DO you have a question you’d like one of our experts to help you with?
SIMPLY VEG
Need to get your kids eating more veg?
Our only goal is to help parents and carers serve up affordable, simple food their families will love. We know that takes more than a few recipes, so we've got all the hacks and advice you'll need. Join now. It's 100% free and 100% simple.
Follow Us on Social