Kids in the kitchen

The saying goes in the TV world ” never work with kids or animals.” The animals part, I am inclined to agree with – thinking back to when the Queen would shoo the corgis into the kitchen while she had dinner – but working with kids in the kitchen is so much FUN !

As part of the Tennessee Food and Wine Festival I got to supervise a three course meal prepared by budding chefs for their parents to enjoy. I planned a menu based on dishes I had served at Buckingham Palace and then worked with each group, rotating them around the kitchen so that everyone had chance to “peel apples,” “sear steaks” and “chop parsley” (yes that station was scary with the sharp knives, but we got through it without even one call for a medic)

Parents (and kids) dined on Smoked Salmon Terrine, Beef Tenderloin Steaks in a Mushroom Cream Sauce, Rosemary Walnut Polenta and Sticky Toffee Pudding and the kids got to take the recipes home after class to cook for their families.