Hi there. Well, it is no longer in my head, but my project of writing a cookbook has finally gotten a pen and started. My focus is really getting kids or beginner cooks in the kitchen.

So here is where I need some input. Currently, I am working on classics that we make in the kitchen, grilled cheese, tomato soup, etc... But, when I think about kids I also think of a parent or parents in the kitchen helping too. Should I add a part, of something along the lines where the parent can ask the child, what they want to do? any additions for the grocery list? what did the child end of doing? best part of helping of this was?

I come from a home of question askers, so that is where this is coming from.

Steph,

I think you have a good concept, but agree with Denise that you may want to come up with an angle that is different.

Either make the grilled cheese have a different flavor, or make it fun somehow. (Think international like "Croque Monsoeur(I don't think I spelled that right. My French is trés rusty.) or Croque Madame" or fun plating like dinosaur or animal shaped sandwiches, or Grilled beyond cheese and add grilled PB&J, grilled ham and cheese...)

Also, think of simple things, but don't be afraid to introduce kids to new flavors. Like suggest "Think beyond American singles for your sandwich, try cheddar, Swiss, Gouda or Havarti"

And new foods, many kids need to learn to eat a wider variety of food.

Also, I do think you need to target an age group. The older the child, the less parental involvement that will be needed in the kitchen, and they may already know how to make a grilled cheese, mac and cheese and chicken fingers.

If you focus on very little kids you may want to come up with more cold foods, that need to be "assembled" more than cooked, and that may not need knives to prepare.

The other thing I recommend is that you think of a few recipes you are considering and invite some kids over and test drive them. See how much supervision they need. See if they can follow your directions, and see how it turns out with little involvement from and adult.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Steph:
My focus is really getting kids or beginner cooks in the kitchen.

I think these are two different demographic groups.

quote:

Currently, I am working on classics that we make in the kitchen, grilled cheese, tomato soup, etc...

I’d encourage you to stretch out… or make the grilled cheese different somehow. I’m thinking of the Foodnetwork Next Chef shows… you need something to make your grilled cheese stand out.

quote:

Should I add a part, of something along the lines where the parent can ask the child, what they want to do?

Depends on the age of the kid… what age group are you targeting? A cookbook for 4 year old is very different from a cookbook for 12 year olds. They have way different skills and can help in different ways. They need different information.

quote:

any additions for the grocery list?

You don’t see groc lists in kids book very often. That is cool. Maybe a whole “recipe” from beginning to end… from shopping to cleaning up after you are done.

(Did you spill pancake batter on the counter? Wipe it up now. Don't wait until later... the job will take you 10 mins instead of 10 seconds.)

A place for "notes" about the recipe is cool.

Note: Medium high on our stove is number 7.5 on the dial.

Or draw a picture of the burner knob so that you remember what med-hi looks like on your stove)

Or I liked ________ about the recipe. Next time, I'm going to change it and try _______"

Or things that went well _______. Things I'll do differently next time.

Best wishes and keep us posted.