Christmas cooking with kids

2 December 2020

Engaging the mind and the senses in the kitchen

Words Simone Worthing

For millions of families around Australia, cooking special treats in the lead-up to Christmas Day is an annual tradition. Although an abundance of delicious Christmas foods are available ready-made, some of us still enjoy an occasional few hours or more in the kitchen, dusting off the recipe books – or searching online – and preparing some festive delights.

Majors Cathryn and Mark Williamson, award-winning bakers and Salvo officers (pastors), say that the Christmas season is often an opportunity for families to cook and connect at home. “Maybe it’s preparing a special meal together. Maybe it’s baking something to package as gifts. Maybe there’s something your family has as a Christmas tradition, and so the tradition continues.”

Cathryn, who has also authored several cookbooks, adds that preparing a meal or treat with children also teaches practical life skills.

“Cooking is an activity that everyone can participate in,” she says. “Parents can make it fun and meaningful for their kids by engaging in the tasks themselves. They can give the kids appropriate task, such as choosing the recipe or reading the list of ingredients. Measuring, chopping and mixing can be shared.

Cathryn and Mark Williamson have made cooking a community outreach.

“As you cook, have conversations about Christmas and ask the kids what they like about the season. It may also give opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas.

“There are so many benefits of families cooking together, but I think the main ones are connection and building relationships. Cooking is also the only activity that uses all the senses and engages the mind as well.”

GINGERBREAD FUN

Gingerbread is a fun Christmas treat to make with kids. It’s versatile too, and can be made into biscuits, cakes, bars and the ever-popular little houses.

“Gingerbread is easy to make and everyone can be involved from making the mixture, rolling and cutting it, and then decorating before eating it!” says Cathryn. “And the making, cooking and decorating don’t all have to be done on the same day.”

The Williamsons are ‘both’ passionate about cooking. “We both started baking as children,” shares Mark. “I think there’s something almost magical about baking which appeals particularly to children – you take a bunch of basic ingredients such as eggs, butter, flour and sugar, and, by combining these in the right way, you produce a cake or some biscuits. It’s amazing! I guess I’ve never really grown up!”

For Cathryn, cooking is about “recharging”. “When I’m cooking, I’m not thinking about everything else that is going on,” she says. “I also get to be creative and, at the end, I have something to show for it and to eat!”

Cathryn has also developed the Salvos Kids in the Kitchen program, a 10-week course that takes school-age children from grades three to six and teaches them to cook 10 different dishes. As part of the course, the children learn food-safety tips, budgeting, healthy meal planning, kitchen cleanliness and teamwork. For more information, email missionsupport@salvationarmy.org.au

Cathryn’s cookbooks featuring “brilliant biscuits” and “sensational slices” can be purchased for $10 each, plus postage. Proceeds go towards Salvo projects for vulnerable women. For more information, email two.thumbs.up@hotmail.com