Jenny Chandler
Food writer, cookery teacher and former UN FAO Special Ambassador for Pulses, Jenny (jennychandlerblog.com) hosts demonstrations and writes for Borough Market.
Her latest book is Green Kids Cook.
Kitchen Safety
Cooking with kids builds confidence, and confidence helps them enjoy veg, fruit and beans more. If worries about mess, heat or sharp tools are holding you back, these simple safety tips from expert Jenny Chandler will help you get cooking together calmly and safely.
Cooking with kids builds confidence, and confidence helps them enjoy veg, fruit and beans more. If worries about mess, heat or sharp tools are holding you back, these simple safety tips from expert Jenny Chandler will help you get cooking together calmly and safely.
KITCHEN SAFETY
Don’t let worry about kitchen safety get in the way of cooking with kids. Expert Jenny Chandler has some golden rules for the kitchen to read with your children so you can get cooking safely. Have a read together before they try to earn their Kitchen Ninja status!
Jenny’s Golden Rules
Safety First
Always cook with an adult. Tell them what you want to make, read the recipe together, and get everything ready before you start. Make sure to ask for help on any parts of it that you know will be tricky for you. Make sure you have oven gloves, tea towels, aprons and somewhere to put down sharp knives to keep your prep space space, watch out for plugs and blades on appliances, and only start when you have an adult for supervision.
Keep Clean and Tidy
Always wash hands before starting. Tie back long hair. Wear an apron. Clean your work surface. Get everything you need ready. Wash chopping boards, equipment and hands between jobs. Take extra care to wash everything well when handling raw meat or fish, and try to use separate chopping boards for raw meat, fish and veg or cooked foods. Bear allergies in mind and use separate tools if you need to.
Watch the Heat
Always use proper oven gloves and take care when opening the oven door or taking the lid off the pan. Hold onto the pan handle while stirring to keep it stable. Metal spoons get very hot so use a wooden one for stirring over the heat.
Be Switched On
Ask permission before using electrical equipment and get help from an adult. Always dry hands before plugging in or switching on. Never put your fingers near the blades or whisks of any electrical appliance. Switch off and unplug electrical items before washing – ask an adult for help.
Using Knives
Always ask an adult for help. Learn how to safely chop using the “bridge” and “claw” (see our Ninja skills list to learn these). Use knives not too large or heavy in your hand (start with butter knives and soft veg and fruit before progressing to sharp). Focus on chopping, limit distractions. Don’t forget that peelers and graters are sharp, too, so have a flat, steady chopping board to work on and watch fingers and knuckles.
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