The Little Chef In Training
RJ is Creative Director for Type In Type Out (TITO), a graphics and brand strategy firm based in Los Angeles. A champion for the City, he was lucky to be raised in the thick of a heavy art, design, museum and architecture scene in LA with a knack for the southern California vernacular. As a foster/adoptive parent, he hopes to show that appreciation for art & design to his 3-year-old every single day.
Who says mamas and papas are the only ones thriving and learning during quarantine? We all were creative culinary artists around March/April, workout enthusiasts around May/June, and work-from-home execs all of July/August. But what about the kiddos? The sponges they are at a young age, it’s the right time to throw them with all the great learning opportunities that will stay in their growing brains for a lifetime. I was a cooking rockstar at the beginning of quarantine. Meals were planned. Groceries were calculated. Tables were set. I was a cooking beast! But why should I be the only one having all the fun? My little dude is just as creative as his papa and it shows.
Creative uses of unconventional cooking tools really works with my 4-year-old. He uses his plastic hammer to crush Oreo cookies in a plastic bag.
And when chocolate is involved, stand back. He’s a champion.
I don’t care what age you are, putting on gloves makes you feel like a super hero (just as a mask does).
No matter what kind of messes you make in the kitchen, the end result is always one pretty picture away from being famous. It’s one of the biggest (and easiest) sense of accomplishment for such a young age. And the more fun thrown into the mix, the easier it is to get them into the kitchen for another culinary adventure!
University studies show that children who help with meal prep and cooking were “more confident about the importance of making healthier food choices.”
