Kids in the kitchen

Kids

Got a mini-MasterChef tugging at your apron-strings? Teach sticky little fingers some skills at these Sydney cooking classes for kids

First published on 1 Oct 2010. Updated on 9 Sep 2011.

If you enjoyed watching eight–12 year olds plate up in 2009, then you’re in for a real (culinary) treat this month. Junior MasterChef, the competition to find the best young cook in the country, returns for a second season from Mon 17 Oct at 7.30pm on Network Ten. These kids prove that you don’t have to be big to do big things, and are sure to amaze audiences with the tricky delicacies they can whip up.

If your kids love to make a mess in the kitchen, give them the right to do so with one of these Sydney-based cooking classes designed especially for nippers.

Sparkle Kidz Bake Class: Halloween Spook
Cooking shouldn’t be scary, but in this case it is. And rightfully so. Toddlers and tweens will learn to make and decorate Halloween-themed cupcakes. Sparkle Cupcakery, Oct 3–7, 10am–12 noon; 1–3pm. $35.

Little Spoons Classes
As part of the Sydney International Food Festival, Little Spoons are offering two classes for kids and adults to learn together. On Sat 15 Oct tackle sung choi bao, steamed dumplings, Chinese moon cakes and okonomiyaki at the Asian Fusion class, and on Sat 22 Oct sweeten up your weekend with Victorian petit fours, mini passion fruit cheesecakes, American chocolate brownies and chocolate mousse during the Chocolates and Cakes class. Little Spoons, 15 & 22 Oct, 1–2.30pm. $20–$35.

Sheridan Rogers Cooking Classes
These classes by food writer and broadcaster Sheridan Rogers start eight–14 year olds in the garden identifying and picking herbs before unleashing them on pizzas, roasts, salads, soups and cakes. 28 Sheridan Rogers Cooking School, 3, 5 & 7 Oct, 10.30am–1.30pm. $65.

Yummy Aloo and Kheema Samosas
Ajoy Joshi, the chef at Nilgiri’s – home to the North Shore’s tastiest Indian food – will be joined by his son Aniruddh to share an Indian cooking (and eating) experience with kids aged nine–14. While preparing their dishes, kids will smell, taste, and learn about Indian spices. Nilgiri’s, Oct 4–5, 6–8.30pm. $30.

Pizza Bambini
Get your five–12 year olds to this pizza-making workshop, where they’ll learn the step-by-step process of making pizza and then take home their delicious round creations. Santos Restaurant, 231 Canley Vale Rd, Canley Heights 2166. (02 9727 0580). Sat Oct 22, 4–5.30pm. Free.

Brasserie Bread Baking Classes
Kids aged five–nine will learn to bake fresh bread with quailty ingredients at these free cooking classes. Brasserie Bread, Every Sat, 12 noon–1pm. Free.

MacMadness
Kids can get in on the macaron craze that's sweeping Sydney with these classes led by Baroque's head pastry chef Jean Michel Raynaud. For kids aged 12 and up. Baroque Bistro, Sun Oct 23, 9.30am–12.30pm. $35.