Henderson program gives young chefs freedom to experiment
Instructor Bonnie Kulwin pulled a chocolate cake from an oven and stuck a toothpick inside its gooey center.
With the stick covered in dark batter, she asked a group of eight children if the cake was finished baking. The children shook their heads, explaining that the toothpick would be clean if it was fully cooked.
“I’ve baked a lot of cakes in my life, but I think you guys are right,” Kulwin said to the children as she placed it back into the oven.
Kulwin plans to teach a new session of cooking and baking classes for children ages 5 to 13 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway.
A cookie class is planned for 4 p.m. Mondays Oct. 27 to Dec. 1. Cake designing courses are set for 4 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 29 to Dec. 3 and 10 a.m. Saturdays Nov. 1 to Dec. 6.
Mini Master Chefs classes are scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Mondays Oct. 27 to Dec. 1 and 12:15 p.m. Saturdays Nov. 1 to Dec. 6. Mini Master Bakers courses are planned for 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 29 to Dec. 3 and 11 a.m. Saturdays Nov. 1 to Dec. 6.
“I let the children pick what they want to make each week. We have a vote at the end of each class,” Kulwin said. “We try to make things seasonally and try not to repeat things. It’s up to them whatever we make as long as it doesn’t interfere with someone’s health.”
During each class, the children participate measuring, mixing, decorating and eating the selected foods. By engaging the children with hands-on activities, Kulwin is able to incorporate health safety into the lessons.
“We focus on keeping our hands clean and sanitized,” Kulwin said. “We’re sharing a lot of food, so we have to be careful with germs. We go over how to cough and sneeze into our arms and the importance of washing hands.”
Children also learn kitchen safety, such as using oven mitts, avoiding microwave fires and keeping fingers away from electric appliances.
“They learn that pretty much nothing in the kitchen is child safe because it’s usually made for adult use,” Kulwin said. “The food processor is probably the safest thing in the kitchen because it’s almost impossible to stick a finger in it, but we teach them common sense so they will never do that anyway.”
Math and science are also discussed during class as Kulwin teaches the children about measuring ingredients and chemical reactions.
“Sometimes we multiply recipes, so the children learn what fractions are and how to double them,” Kulwin said. “We also go over things like the roles of salt and sugar in recipes and the differences between baking powder and baking soda.”
As a child, Kulwin learned to cook and bake from her grandparents, who owned a restaurant.
“I started in the kitchen at a young age, so it just comes as second nature,” Kulwin said. “I’ve worked for the city for 17 years, and I just love teaching children.”
Las Vegas resident Sabra Kunze has been taking Kulwin’s cooking and baking classes for about two years. The 9-year-old recently completed a cake designing class.
“I like that we get to come up with ideas and decorate the cakes how we want,” Sabra said.
Although Sabra is home-schooled, her mother Kelly said the classes allow her to make friends and socialize.
“(Her grandmother) and I stay during each class to support her and see what she’s doing,” Kunze said. “Her dad would love to come, but he has to work, so we take pictures and send them to family because the creations don’t always make it home.”
The classes are $45 for each six-week session and can accommodate up to 17 children at a time. A $30 supply fee is also due at the first class.
“Children are so fun to teach because they’re so eager and follow directions so well,” Kulwin said. “I’ve taught adults, and sometimes they’re too worried that they’ll make mistakes that they don’t enjoy it. These children are fearless.”
For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com/parks or call 702-267-5800.
Contact Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.
