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Recipes, cooking lessons, tips, tricks, food blog, and more.
Recipes, cooking lessons, tips, tricks, food blog, and more.
Children and sharp knives are not what you initially imagine as a good mix. But kids are bright - they can, and should, learn how to handle dangerous kitchen implements properly at a young age.
15 January 2010
A long time ago, and in a galaxy far, far away... Well, no actualy, it was only 20 or so years ago, and half-way across the world, in Québec. We were having a family Christmas party at my grand-parent's place, and I was doing a lot of the cooking. My aunt brought her 5 year old grand-son in the kitchen to work with me. When my cousin saw his son with one of my knives in his hands, he visibly paled, turned around and left the kitchen.
I had tasked the kid with slicing the mushrooms for the dish. I'd given him a paring knife after showing him how to handle it and explained some basic safety concerns. He was keen, and careful.
I kept an eye on him while I was preparing other things. I wanted to make sure he was keeping safe, but I also wanted to let him be to his task, and avoid hovering over him. Had to show him trust. Because he was trustworthy, and because it would help give him confidence in cooking for the future.
My cousin saw his son, and was obviously not particularly comfortable with seeing him handle my knife, apparently without oversight. Obviously he trusted me enough to let his son continue working in the kitchen with me, because he just grabbed a beer in the fridge and walked away.
Later on, while speaking with him, I told him "don't worry, my knives are really sharp". "I *know*," he responded, "why do you think I was so concerned he was handling the thing?" We talked some more, and I pointed out that a sharp knife is much safer than a dull one. A sharp knife:
My cousin conceded the point. He said he did trust me, otherwise his son wouldn't have been left to cook with me.
The kid had a blast. I enjoyed showing him how to handle a knife. Good stuff.
I really believe in the importance of teaching kids early on that cooking is fun. I also think it's important to teach them kitchen safety.
So, what are YOU doing to get your kids involved in cooking with you?
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An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make them laugh. Will Rogers
Great post. That's why I keep my knives as sharp as possible, and get antsy using other peoples that feel as blunt as old spoons.
Comment by: Dan - January 15th, 2010 @ 14:34
I bought a wiltshire knife once from Briscoes and took it with me when I went flatting. I spent six months wondering why the heck my knife wouldn't cut. I eventually brought it home and showed it to dad and the first thing he said was "This knife has no edge whatsoever" and he spent an hour or so with his sharpening stone trying to create one.
I'm relatively dangerous with knives, my hands shake. You might argue the useless knife I'd bought was good for me LOL!
Comment by: Anna - March 2nd, 2010 @ 23:29