Frequently asked questions

Who is this website for?

This website is built for kids as young as 2 years old, assuming their parents are guiding the kid chef and facilitating the task. While we assume this would be most helpful for kids under the age for 6, we think older kids can also try it out, possibly with more age appropriate independence.

Do you have any tips to minimize the mess while cooking with kids?

Absolutely. We hear you. It can be triggering to see the mess involved, especially when they are that young or new to handling food. While it cannot be avoided, here are some tips to minimize it:

1. Make sure the cooking space made accessible to the kid is clean.

2. Wash hands before and after handling foods, with warm and soapy water, and after handling spices, eggs or meat.

3. Only keep the amount of ingredients you are comfortable getting used or wasted. For e.g., if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup chocolate chips and you don't want your kid eating most off it instead of cooking, take out what you need for the recipe + some for snacking, and put away the rest.

4. Counter-top trash bin - Keep something handy like a big bowl or even a grocery bag to collect any scraps or other waste.

5. Clean as you go when possible. Encourage the child to wipe, especially when changing tools or utensils

6. Have a towel handy to help wipe their hands when they feel icky at times, and another towel for the surfaces.

Is it really safe for kids that young?

We think so. You, the parent know your risk tolerance and your child the most, so we encourage your discretion. But here are some tips that can make it safe to encourage kids in the kitchen.

1. Move anything the child doesn't need, especially adult knives and tools

2. Invest in some kid-safe tools. See our recommendations here

3. Monitor and guide your child to handle food and tools appropriately, especially around the stove, tasting uncooked ingredients etc.

Are there any tips to help with my mindset in making this an enjoyable experience?

1. Create an invitation to cook by having a clean chopping board, apron and a towel ready

2. Embrace the mess - Some mess is inevitable. You can control it to a degree by following the first few points, but it is not avoidable. The mess will get under control as they build their chef muscles and as they continue to explore.

3. Mise en plase - Gather the tools and ingredients ahead of time before starting the instructions

4. Practice not perfection - the first few times, it might not look or taste as good, and that is okay!

5. Avoid forcing - if you notice them losing interest, make it playful, talk about the final outcome (or show the pic on the app), take photos of them doing the task at hand, or get them to serve it after you have helped complete the dish

6. If there are multiple kids, start with only one kid as the chef and consider cooking all together when you, the parent, is ready to manage all the moving parts.

7. Know that it will take much longer than it would if you did it yourself, but it is okay! They will get faster and might even surprise you with a snack or two in a few months...

I have some recipes I enjoy making with my child. How can I share?

That is amazing. Please use the feedback form to share any suggestions. If you have an actual recipe, feel free to share that as well, and we would be happy to review and craft our own recipe inspired by your suggestions, and publish them.

What's next? Will there be more recipes or lessons?

Yes, CookingQuest will continue to add more content. Our plan is to introduce a subscription soon, where users can level up and learn more complex skills and recipes, and some free easy to follow along recipes as well.

Do I need to be a great cook to be able to guide my kids?

Not at all. In fact, we hope this can be a helpful resource for parents as well, so that we can grow into a more home-cooked, less-processed, and yet easy to make food lifestyle. Cooking with kids is not about perfection but building the comfort and habit!