Growing up, every year on my birthday, my father would make potato and farmer’s cheese pierogi from scratch. It was our tradition one that filled more than just my stomach. Those warm, pillowy dumplings brought comfort, joy, and tradition.

But a few years ago, that tradition quietly slipped away. My relationship with my father changed, and with it, the pierogi disappeared too. He never wrote the recipe down or taught me how to make them, and now I find myself craving not just the taste, but the experience, the memory of making and sharing something together. Every birthday that passes, I think of those pierogi and wish I knew how to bring them back into my life.

That longing has made me reflect on how important it is to cook with kids.

Cooking is so much more than just preparing food. It’s an opportunity to teach and connect on multiple levels.

• Math – Measuring ingredients, counting, understanding proportions and time.
• Science – Observing how heat transforms ingredients, testing ideas (what happens if we leave the eggs out?), learning about reactions.
• Following Directions – Sequencing steps, understanding first/then logic, and developing listening skills.
• Patience – Learning that good things take time and effort.

Beyond these “academic” skills, cooking with kids is a powerful way to pass down traditions, foster communication, build trust, and create lasting memories. It’s an invitation to share your culture, your story, and your love.

Yes, cooking can be messy. It can be risky. But it’s also the perfect space for teaching real-life safety in a hands-on way. There are plenty of child-friendly cooking tools out there designed with little hands in mind, and honestly kids want to be involved. Most of us are already trying to entertain them while making dinner. Why not bring them into the process?

Let them in on the secrets. Show them how it’s done. Teach them the “why” behind your favorite recipes.

Because if not now, when?

Cook On

A special nod to Chef Anne Burrell- You always have been and always will be my favorite chef. RIP