6 Year Old wins BLUE RIBBON at County Fair w/ CL Recipe!!

[RecipeGirl]

My son (age 6), a budding chef, took a blue ribbon at the San Diego County Fair yesterday for a Cooking Light recipe: Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread. He entered the Kid's Best contest for "Breads and Rolls." I know that there has been lots of praise about this recipe, but now it's a proven winner! He really made the whole thing himself and he was quite proud!

I took 2nd place in the cheesecake competition with the epi recipe: Strawberry- Coconut Cheesecake! No prize money was involved- all was just for fun with ribbons given.

[IndyKF]

That's great! He's a cutie! Congrats to both of you!

[patissac]

You must be so proud! That is awesome, way to go!!!!

[zackaboo]

Wow! I would think that the Marbled Banana Bread would be a little challenging for most 6 year olds to make. Congrats to both of you!

[Sugarbetty]

Congratulations! I just hope when my little guy gets bigger, he'll want to make things in the kitchen with me.

[Deechef]

Congrats to both of you. Thanks for sharing the picture. He's a doll!

[RecipeGirl]

Thanks everyone for your nice responses! I actually let my son read your replies and he was smiling ear-to-ear.

He read all of the directions himself and I stood by to "guide" him through it. I can't tell you how many times he said, "MOM!! I can do it myself!" I taught him how to level flour with a knife, squish bananas, set the temp on the oven, work the microwave, swirl the batters without touching the bottom of the loaf pan, etc. I took pictures every step of the way and he was just having so much fun! The only thing that I wouldn't let him do was put the loaf pan in the oven and take it out. Too much potential for dangerous burns. He even put all of the ingredients away (but I did the dishes )

Now, he wants to make dinner for dad out of our Kid's cookbook. We'll see how that one goes

[cumulus]

Thanks everyone for your nice responses! I actually let my son read your replies and he was smiling ear-to-ear.

He read all of the directions himself and I stood by to "guide" him through it. I can't tell you how many times he said, "MOM!! I can do it myself!" I taught him how to level flour with a knife, squish bananas, set the temp on the oven, work the microwave, swirl the batters without touching the bottom of the loaf pan, etc. I took pictures every step of the way and he was just having so much fun! The only thing that I wouldn't let him do was put the loaf pan in the oven and take it out. Too much potential for dangerous burns. He even put all of the ingredients away (but I did the dishes )

Now, he wants to make dinner for dad out of our Kid's cookbook. We'll see how that one goes

That is soooo cool! Congratulations to him- and you

I'm amazed that he started off with cheesecake! I can barely make a decent cheesecake

Good luck with dinner- pasta salads, sandwiches, and breakfast-y foods like waffles or pancakes are all great starter recipes. Also, fresh fruit and veggie dishes (with different dips) could be fun. But then again, he made a cheesecake, so maybe he should move to souffles next

[RecipeGirl]

That is soooo cool! Congratulations to him- and you

I'm amazed that he started off with cheesecake! I can barely make a decent cheesecake

Good luck with dinner- pasta salads, sandwiches, and breakfast-y foods like waffles or pancakes are all great starter recipes. Also, fresh fruit and veggie dishes (with different dips) could be fun. But then again, he made a cheesecake, so maybe he should move to souffles next

No no no-- I made the cheesecake!! He made the CL recipe: Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread. Yes, I quite agree with you that he absolutely isn't ready to make a cheesecake yet!! Sorry if that was unclear

He has picked Pork Chops with Apples & some sort of basic salad with vinaigrette to make for his dad. The directions are pretty clear in the kid's cookbook so we'll see how it goes. I'm not thrilled with teaching him how to use a knife but someone recommended to me to have him use a duller steak knife while learning to chop things so that's what I'll do.

[PattiA]

Lori, it must be feel wonderful to be guiding him along the way to becoming someone who loves cooking. Congrats to both of you on your prizes. Seeing him win a prize was probably the best prize for you.

[HRJ]

That is awesome! Congrats to your DS! I have an almost-6-year-old who loves to help me cook and bake, but I hadn't thought about letting him tackle something like a quick bread. But it's a great idea.

One thing, about using a knifei -- it's my understanding that a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, because it can do a lot worse damage if you do cut yourself with it. So that may not be the way you want to go. Just MHO.

Helene

[margeslp]

What a wonderful picture of a proud winner. I raised two boys and found cooking activities they enjoyed, especially with Cub Scouts. This is the time to start a digital memory of steps to make recipes that can be transformed into the best family cookbook around. My sons didn't show interest till they were in their late 20's early 30s. I used to visit each for a week and pack their freezers full of favorite meals. Scotty asked if I could teach him to make some of those. We found when he came home from work, he was starved and it wasn't the right time. So we ate something I prepared and spent the evening doing the cooking class. For his birthday and later his brother's I put together a marvelous family cookbook, preserved with sheet protectors. Anytime I visited Scotty he picked a recpe, we did the shopping and then that was our dinner. He progressed rapidly. I adored when he called to ask me to clarify a new recipe he wanted to try. He has used my recipes for company picnics and family reunions. He is currently overwhelmed with his job but I feel we have the roots. Brother is a vegetarian so his cookbook is different. His former girlfriend prompted him to ask me how to do recipes. I have wonderful pcitures but it isn't his first need. I feel we all go in and out and our kids will identify with us. Both sons feel responsible to help me evaluate my dishes I prepare for NYS Fair. Best advise: start your family cookbook now. Photograph your darlings as part of instructions

[GingerPow]

Congratulations to RecipeGirl's DS! He is 6? Wow - he's a prodigy in the kitchen!

He also looks like he stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting - what a cutie! That will serve him well when he has his own Food Network show in 20 years.

[gardenmom]

Congratulations to your smiling boy!!! I can really feel the thrill with your photo, what a proud moment, and its such an accomplishment to instill a passion for cooking, mom.

I have a 6 yr old cooking boy too, this reminds me of him (loves to cook. Measuring is a good math excercise, our teacher just recommended it for summer.) My 4 yr old daughter has a lot less patience for cooking. I'm hoping...)

Thanks for giving me a smile!

[vbak]

Th's just awesome! Both of you deserve ot be proud .

Vicky

[Lauren]

Congratulations to your son!!!

My boys used to love to cook/bake when they were younger. Hey, at least they can do it if they want to!

[RecipeGirl]

One thing, about using a knifei -- it's my understanding that a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, because it can do a lot worse damage if you do cut yourself with it. So that may not be the way you want to go. Just MHO.

Helene

I guess my steak knives aren't dull, but just rather not razor sharp like the other knives I have. I would be scared to death to let him handle a sharper knife as he just doesn't quite have the maturity. If it's something simple to chop that chops easily, I will likely let him go for it with the not-as-sharp knife, and if it's onions or tomatoes or something like that, I'll have to do the prep for him. He can always throw something in the food processor too. Thanks for the advice!

[TitlePending]

Lori ~ great picture of your son and his blue ribbon! Made me think back to wonderful days raising our sons, on the soccer field rather than in the kitchen

As to the knife, I have always understood the reason for more and worse cuts from dull knives is due to the pressure you have to use in order to cut through something. So, likely softer foods (such as many fruits) will be fine w/a dull knife and you can do the onions

I liked what someone else said about your son winning was probably your best prize, but congrats on your ribbon, too.

Linda ~

Oh, and PS: As to your sister maybe having an interest in a Tacoma supper club, our members range from early 30s and she would be most welcome to check us out without having to make a commitment.

[RecipeGirl]

Best advise: start your family cookbook now. Photograph your darlings as part of instructions

Funny you mention that- I just started scrapbooking! I am keeping his favorites together w/ pics, and wouldn't that be a fun wedding gift to give someday?

[RecipeGirl]

Oh, and PS: As to your sister maybe having an interest in a Tacoma supper club, our members range from early 30s and she would be most welcome to check us out without having to make a commitment.

Hi Linda,

Check your private messages- I sent you my sister's email address as she is interested in checking it out! Thanks so much...

[margeslp]

Funny you mention that- I just started scrapbooking! I am keeping his favorites together w/ pics, and wouldn't that be a fun wedding gift to give someday?

Recipe-- I wish if my cuties were that age when there were digital cameras. Those how-to pictures are at no cost next to when Scotty and Mitch were adorable boys.

PS: I had a big box of fabric left from my hand made dresses that would have been for my daughter'd outstanding dresses. So I just had two boys. Everyone asked what I would do with the remnants. I said start learning to quilt. My boys gave incredible different gifts of experience to me, including laying tennis against power.

[AzAnne]

How very exciting for him. A budding chef, keep it up I'm sure his future spouse will be VERY thankful

[knunes]

GREAT photo, CLEVER and HANDSOME boy, WONDERFUL mom!
Congratulations!

[RecipeGirl]

He also looks like he stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting - what a cutie! That will serve him well when he has his own Food Network show in 20 years.

Wouldn't that be fun? He's very theatrical- always pretends he's a baseball announcer calling the play-by-play of the games, and when he's watching me cook, he wants me to talk about what I'm doing like it's a cooking class. I think the little guy is learning quite a bit for a 6 year old!! He'll either have "high expectations" of the woman he marries, or he'll do all the cooking. If she cooks, he probably ask her why she isn't photographing all of the food she prepares (that's what he sees me do all the time)

[mbrogier]

How awesome! I started cooking when I was around 6, too. when I was 12-14 I made spending money by selling baked goods to friends and neighbors. (I printed out menus and went door to door down Ocean Ridge road in Atlantic Beach--I lived across the street. Many people were on vacation or had people over to entertain, so I had a lot of business and many repeat customers.)

When your son is a famous chef, we'll be able to say we knew him when.

[margeslp]

For any of you in upstate NY. the NYS Fair has a youth (under 16) category:
http://www.nysfair.org/*/entry/Culin...al_Classes.pdf
on August 26th with categories of favorite dessert, Halloween theme treat, fruit and/or vegetable characters and creative snacks.

[RecipeGirl]

For any of you in upstate NY. the NYS Fair has a youth (under 16) category:
http://www.nysfair.org/*/entry/Culin...al_Classes.pdf
on August 26th with categories of favorite dessert, Halloween theme treat, fruit and/or vegetable characters and creative snacks.

Ohhhh- that sounds fun. Is my son ready for state competition?? Just kidding. We're in California

I'm assuming that you enter that? Have you entered before with success?