| Excerpts from various articles about Cooking with Kids San Francisco Chronicle - June 11, 2003 Lynda Rexroat, who runs the Cooking with Kids Program in various East Bay Community Centers, says in her classes the 4 year olds make the same recipes as the older students. As a bonus for parents, none of it is junk food. "There is lots of attention to, and instruction about, nutrition, kitchen safety and cleaning up afterwards." says Rexroat, "And children will try things like certain unfavored vegetables that they may not have tried before" Contra Costa Times - April 27, 2005 "She isn't afraid to introduce exotics such as phyllo dough and puff pastry and she teaches the importance of presentation." Rexroat says.."Cooking teaches kids how to plan, how to be in charge of something, and how to multi task...Besides teaching kitchen safety and cooking, Rexroat is emphatic about another aspect of the culinary arts: Nutrition. She helps kids learn how to read labels, and she keeps the salt and sugar in her recipes to a minimum. After the lasagna goes into the oven that does not mean the class is over. "Rexroat uses handouts to review all the ingredients they used in the meal. Finally, she shows the children a selection of dried and fresh herbs; one by one the kids smell and touch, discovering perhaps for the first time the difference between cilantro, and oregano, basil and parsley." "I don't know if I ever want to be a chef in a restaurant,' says 11 year old Ygnacio Mutio, a sixth grader at Sequoia Middle School. 'But I do want to learn to make what I like to eat." San Ramon Valley Times 2004 "In an age where cooking is becoming an infrequent activity, knowing your way around food is important. Rexroat said. Starting early can pave the way for future independence. Valley Lifestyles Magazine - July/Augst 2005 "Her classes range from basic cooking classes for preschoolers to intensive week long summer day camps training kids to make an entire French meal...At the end of the class, they discuss their creations. What did it taste like? Will they make it again? Who in their family might also enjoy it? Is it healthy?" "I believe that by teaching young children fun ways of preparing healthy foods, you give them the skills needed for a lifetime of healthy eating." Said Rexroat, "This is my passion. I believe I was sent to this planet to do this,. My ultimate goal is for the children to take home with them what they have learned, and share it with their family" Chef Lynda and her big kids class at Walnut Creek Park and Rec were also featured in the Mighty Mites segment of the CBS Evening Magazine in December 2004. |
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