National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day is celebrated every year on September 13. It’s a special day for children and adolescents to participate in cooking alongside their parents or guardians. Not only does it provide quality time for parents and kids, but it also gives them the perfect chance to learn one of the most essential life skills — cooking!
History of National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day was introduced to the world by the “Young Chefs Academy,” a cooking school franchise located in Texas. The academy offers children from ages four to 18 culinary classes, mini-camps, and birthday parties with the goal to empower them with culinary skills.Based on archeological evidence, the art of cooking has been present for over a million years. Burnt bones and plant ashes found in the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa point to the evidence of human control of fire from a million years ago. Humans did little to prepare their food as hunter-gatherers collected fruits and plants that don’t require cooking. The flesh of animals was roasted or boiled and the cooking process was very simplified.The early form of the kitchen surfaced during the Paleolithic era, about 200,000 to 400,000 years ago. The focal point of homes, these open hearths merely consisted of stones piled in a circle for building the fire. It wasn’t until around 200 years ago that the first partially modern cook stove was invented. They were designed in the 1790s by Benjamin Thomson, also known as Count Rumford. The stoves were essentially box-like brick structures with flat tops, through which pots could be lowered to the fire.From being a bare necessity for survival, cooking has now become elevated to the realm of art and science, as new cooking techniques are invented and experiments are performed with the food we eat. There are millions of culinary institutions with the sole aim of teaching students how to cook — and cook well!
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day timeline
A Greek man called Archestratus writes the first cookbook.
The “Food for Young Children” guide is created by the “United States Department of Agriculture.”
The food pyramid is introduced in Sweden.
The world’s biggest cooking competition, the Bocuse d’Or, is inaugurated.
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day FAQs
At what age should a child start learning to cook?
Every child develops at a different pace. No one but you knows best if your child is old enough to understand what you’re teaching.
Is cooking a talent or a skill?
Though some people have a natural proficiency for cooking, it is also a skill that can be learned and developed. Those who are talented at cooking have to practice and hone their talent to become better.
Do you need certification to become a chef?
There is no strict certification required to become a chef. However, it would be beneficial to attend a culinary school or undergo an apprenticeship of some kind.
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day Activities
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Get your little helpers to help out
Sit back and allow your little ones to make you a meal. Just make sure you supervise! But if they’re too young to do so, let them be your little helpers.
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Watch a cooking show
Ditch cartoons for the day and turn on a kids cooking competition. Allow your kids to learn while being entertained.
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Teach kids about the science of food
Take the chance to teach kids about the science of food and how it affects our bodies. Categorize the meals you eat into the various classes of food, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
5 Shocking Culinary World Records
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World’s youngest chef
At only 12 years old, Omari McQueen is the youngest multi-award-winning vegan chef and the youngest chef to land a cooking show.
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World’s largest cookie
The world’s largest cookie weighs 40,000 pounds!
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Largest community kitchen
The world’s largest community kitchen serves a hundred thousand people a day in India.
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Longest cooking time
The longest amount of time spent cooking is 75 hours and was set by Maliha Mohammed.
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Largest cooking audience
The largest audience to attend a cooking show is 6512 people set by Steffen Hensler’s live cooking show.
Why We Love National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
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It creates unity
It’s a great time for kids and parents to bond and spend quality time together. Completing an important task together fosters a sense of unity.
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Cooking is a language everyone understands
Though food looks different in every culture, it’s that one thing we all love. Take a risk by trying out food from a different culture. You just might be surprised by how much you like it!
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Cooking is a skill
Though we live in the age of fast food, cooking is a lifelong skill that needs to be learned. Letting your kids participate in cooking lets them learn the importance of cooking and appreciate all that goes into putting a meal on the table.
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | September 13 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | September 13 | Friday |
| 2025 | September 13 | Saturday |
| 2026 | September 13 | Sunday |
| 2027 | September 13 | Monday |
