When I was growing up, my mom had a hard time keeping up with my appetite. I was pretty active and that meant I was usually hungry. Her answer was to get me in the kitchen and start teaching me how to cook. After a while, I could easily fix myself something nutritious to eat. Issue resolved!
Learning your way around a kitchen is a key life skill and luckily for parents, there are a few community resources around town that are here to help kids learn.
If you live in Peoria, the William Patena Community Center has cooking classes for kids (Sticky Fingers Cooking) and teens (Culinary Chaos) through the Parks & Rec Dept. They’ve got a session of classes that begin in September but sign ups are open now! 623.773.7436 for info and to register.
Asante Library in Surprise offers a free Snack Lab library program for tweens and teens that is a combo of food, creativity, science, and learning. It’s offered the 3rd Thursday of every month and pre-registration is not required.
Northwest Valley YMCA in El Mirage has cooking classes for your young chefs too. Their class is called Kids In The Kitchen and, if a parent comes with them, they can accommodate children as young as 3! These classes are open both to the community and to members of YMCA.
And if YOU want to learn more about cooking and providing for your family, Peoria’s Main Library has just the thing. Empowered Living: Build a Better Plate is an adult program on Sat. Sept. 26 where a chef will come in and give a presentation about how to make every meal flavorful, nutritious, and appealing. Yes, there will be tastings! Registration is required for this free event. (As of 8/14 half of the spots were already taken so don’t delay if you are interested.)
Quality food and family time spent eating a nutritious meal together are central to our wellbeing and health. So grab your spatula, put on an apron, and get your family cooking and eating together! Bon Appetit!
