Making Math Fun and Easy to Understand by Chef Pharrell

How to Measure Ingredients

Using Math Skills in the Kichen

by Chef Pharrell

My Cool Kid Cooks, San Diego CA

Jr. Chefs practicing measuring skills and kitchen math

I have found that showing kids how to use their fractions and ratio skills when they are in the kitchen is a fun way to encourage even those with math anxiety. Something about holding a tangible measuring cup of sugar and doubling or creating 3/4 cup equivalents is easier when you are in the kitchen and you’re making something that tastes wonderful.

Here are some helpful tips for measuring correctly:

• Measure out all ingredients before you begin your recipe. This is the best way to make sure you have everything your need before you start your recipe. Measuring first will also keep you from making a common mistake of doubling or leaving out something from the recipe.
• Use separate measuring cups and spoons or dry and wet ingredients.This prevents things from getting “gooey” when measuring.
• When measuring liquid ingredients use glass or plastic measuring cups with pour spouts .Read the measurement at eye level.
• When measuring solids, fill a flat sided measuring cup then level off with the flat side of a table knife.
• When measuring flour it is important not to “pack” to cup. Gently spoon the flour into the measuring cup first and then level off, do not press the flour into the cup. This will prevent too much flour from being put into the cup.
• For shortening or butter, pack a flat measuring cup with a spatula and level off the top with a knife. Or, to use the lines on the packaging keep in mind that there are 8 tablespoons in each ½ cup block and each block weighs 4 ounces.
• When measuring salt, pepper or granular spices, do not measure over the mixing bowl. Measure first then pour into your mixture.

My Cool Kid Cooks is located in North San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in the north county we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County,

call for more information.

Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582

or email:

chef@MyCoolKidCooks.com

To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to our NC San Diego Cooking Classes website and click the Onsite Classes tab:

http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html

and then click the current month's calendar button cooking classes...

For more information about how you can book a birthday party with us contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582

Science Experiment for the Kitchen by Chef Pharrell

Kitchen Science with Chef Pharrell

My Cool Kid Cooks Kitchen Science

Kitchen Science during My Cool Kid Cooks Birthday Parties

When is it a perfect teaching moment?
Answer: When they are having fun!

I can't tell you how many times I have felt that perfect moment during my classes with teens and kids sharing with them about the joys of cooking.

I always make a point of stressing at least three times during any session with my Jr. Chefs something that draws a attention to what they are learning in school and how it applies to cooking. This I believe is a valuable lesson outside of the classroom because it proves
what they are learning IS important.

One of the favorite moments in every pizza class is the science experiment where we grown the live yeast and they get to touch it and smell it.
I usually start off by letting them feel the "Live creatures" and them telling them that they are very hungry and they are lacking energy. I ask them what could we feed the yeast creatures to give them some very quick energy, usually giving them three choices. After feeding the yeast we measure the size of the container and then after it has a chance to grow we measure it again and they love to feel the foam.
Of course we talk about how the same process that made the foam grow and expand in the glass, makes the dough in the pizza expand and grow in the oven and the bread in a bakery, etc.

The kids talk about this part of the class for months afterwards, I hear this from parents, all of the time.

So what does this mean to you a parent? I think it means that finding real world experiences to share with your teen and young child are just as important as any other activity which you stress in your kids lives.

My Cool Kid Cooks is located in North San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in the north county we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County, call for more information.

Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582
or email:
chef@MyCoolKidCooks.com
To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to our NC San Diego Cooking Classes website and click the Onsite Classes tab:
http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html
and then click the current month's calendar button cooking classes...
For more information about how you can book a birthday party with us contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582

Holiday Homemake Candy Workshop in San Marcos

“Homemade Candy Cooking Class ”

How to make English Toffee with Chef Pharell



Kids and Adults Welcome
Saturday, December 1st, 2012
11am to 2:00pm
Chef’s Kitchen
Enjoy the sweet life in this workshop where you will learn the basics of home candy-making. During this hands-on class, Chef Pharrell will guide you through the process of how to make flavored chocolate truffles and cooked hard candy treats. Fun activity for a mother - daughter, grandmother - grandchild to do together for the holidays. Plus, you will be able to take home a box of delicious treats for your family or friends.
•English Toffee
•French Cream Candy
•French Chocolate Truffles
Plus take home a box of homemade candies after the class!

My Cool Kid Cooks is located in North San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in the north county we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County, call for more information.

Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582
or email:
chef@MyCoolKidCooks.com

To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to our NC San Diego Cooking Classes website and click the Onsite Classes tab:
http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html
and then click the current month's calendar button cooking classes...

For more information about how you can book a birthday party with us contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582

Cooking Class Gift Cards for Kids and Teens by My Cool Kid Cooks

Give a gift card

My Cool Kid Cooks Cooking Class Gift Cards

Looking for a way to give a great gift card to someone in San Diego County? We offer gift certificates which are customised for any special occasion.

A cooking class, a series of classes, a private chef service or a special time for the both of you to spend together...you choose which gift is best. We can bring our services to them or they can come to the Chef's Kitchen in San Marcos.

We can also print custom cards to go with your gift and put YOUR personal message inside.

Call us for more details.




Cooking Class gift cards for Teens and Kids



To purchase gift cards :
Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-637-1103
or email:
chef@NCSanDiegoCookingClasses.com

To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to:
http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html
and click the current month calendar link...

My Cool Kid Cooks Cooking Classes is located in San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in North County we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County, call us for details.




Rancho Bernardo Jr. Chef Pizza Birthday Party for Twins

Pizza Jr. Chef Birthday Party Celebration in Rancho Bernardo

Jr. Chef Pizza Sauce Dance

Kitchen Science taught at Jr Chef Birthday Parties by Chef Pharrell

What's a unique theme can you do for a twin's birthday party with 16 kids?

That's what this mom asked when she called My Cool KidCooks.

Making fresh lemonade at Pizza Pizza Party

Amazing Pizza Sauce and Cheese makes Awesome Pizzas

We decided on a pizza party with knife skills and a science theme. We had to keep a lot of kids interested all at once so it was a very busy event and it kept the whole staff on their toes with plenty of activity.

Making Cupcakes for dessert

Everyone had a great time and the party ended with the traditional dessert decorating and wish making.

We won't forget this one!

To see more photos go to our Flickr photo account pages:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncsandiegocookingclasses/sets/72157631982605221/

My Cool Kid Cooks is located in North San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in the north county we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County, call for more information.

Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582
or email:
chef@MyCoolKidCooks.com
To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to our NC San Diego Cooking Classes website and click the Onsite Classes tab:
http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html
and then click the current month's calendar button cooking classes...
For more information about how you can book a birthday party with us contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582.