Cooking with your family is a cherished tradition in many homes. What makes it the most fun, is cooking with youth. What makes it even more special, is seeing their eyes light up after their homemade goods come out of the oven.

If you have youth helping to cook this holiday season, it’s important to keep everyone safe and healthy. Here are some simple tips to follow to keep everyone in the festive spirit!

1. Always wash your hands before you cook. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) you should:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
• You should wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food.

2. Avoid eating raw cookie dough. It tastes great to some people; however, eggs can carry salmonella. It’s best to cook the dough properly before eating it.

3. Be careful of cross contamination in the kitchen. If you are cutting raw meats with a knife, don’t then use the same knife to cut into fruits or vegetables. Always wash your hands again after handling meats or dairy in the kitchen.

4. Cook all meats to the proper temperature. If you undercook your food, the inside temperature of the food won’t be hot enough to kill harmful bacteria. A meat thermometer should be used to ensure the food is cooked to the proper temperature. There are some food safety tips on the University of TN Institute of Agriculture website.

5. Keep your recipes kid friendly when cooking with youth. This makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. Divide up the tasks, the younger youth can stir and mix and chop, and the older kids can do more complex tasks.

6. Teach kids about kitchen safety rules to follow. For example, teach them to not touch the top of a hot stove or never leave the oven mitt sit on an open burner. Knife safety is also of utmost importance for youth, teach them the basic skills they need to know so they are safe.

7. Dress appropriately for fun in the kitchen. Keep clothes tight fitting to avoid unnecessary hazards. Most kids love to wear aprons in the kitchen. Spend some quality time decorating aprons with them, or even buy a chef’s hat!

8. Make a game plan for what the family will cook that day, get everyone involved, this is where the magic happens! Kids truly get excited when they have prepared food themselves, and it builds the confidence they need for years to come. Don’t try to make elaborate meals, sometimes simplicity is best.

9. Finally, make memories with those you love! The joy of being with family members in the kitchen and seeing their faces light up after seeing their creation come to life, is the best feeling ever.

For more information about our Rutherford County 4-H Cooking classes for youth in 4^th-12^th grade, call our office at 615-898-7710 or email 4-H Agent, Raquel Victor, at [email protected].