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From Let's Cook! columnist Jodie Fitz. The author is a mother of three children ages 16, 11 and 6. She is set to launch a kids cooking program with Price Chopper and her first book “Yikes, There... More
From Let's Cook! columnist Jodie Fitz. The author is a mother of three children ages 16, 11 and 6. She is set to launch a kids cooking program with Price Chopper and her first book “Yikes, There... More
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Not Your Momma's Birthday Party
Posted on Thu, October 25th, 2007
Written by: ,
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Creating a great birthday party for your child in the cooler months requires a little more imagination and skill than throwing up a bounce house in the back yard and letting the kids wear themselves out. Bringing the party inside may require you to limit the guests but it certainly does not mean you have to limit the fun.
Tiny Chefs offers parties based on their philosophy of “learning through cooking.” Children are exposed to basic educational skills as well as culinary techniques. The guests work with the birthday child as a team to create an entrée and in some cases individual birthday cakes.
“When I grew up, eating with family was a big deal,” said Nicole Wilkie, a co-founder of the Tiny Chefs in Albany. “We’re trying to bring that back. We want the kids to get excited about meals and cooking.”
Parties typically last between 1 ½ and 2 hours with guests receiving an apron and chef’s hat as well as a recipe card for each item they made during the party. A goodie bag, containing a kitchen utensil, completes the cooking themed party.
Wilkie said children love these parties because they feel a sense of accomplishment at the end. The party is entirely hands on with the children getting to do everything from beginning to end. The recipes used at each party vary and are based on what the birthday child would like to eat. Menus can work around allergies and a new selection of sugar free and organic recipes are being tested out at this time.
Wilkie notes children are encouraged to try the foods they have created. This, she says, has resulted in a rewarding experience for many child who had previously turned up their nose at the dish. She said kids see their peers trying something new and leap in to give it a try as well.
The kids leave the party and often go home with recipe cards in hand asking to make the dish for their own family. The birthday parties can be themed events with entrees and cakes designed to match the theme. The best part of this party might be the parents complete lack of involvement in the event. The simply need to invite Tiny Chefs into their home and allow them to take over.
“We bring our own cooking utensils,” said Wilkie. “We bring it all so parents don’t have to worry about having the right stuff or about cleaning up a mess.” Tiny Chefs will also offer classes in your home. To learn more about them contact them through their Web site, www.tinychefs.com, or by calling 221-4052.
Jammin with Julie is another idea that began (and continues to be) a class offering which morphed into a birthday party celebration. Julie Adler responded to clients’ requests to entertain the children during the birthday parties and has created a 30 - 45 minute interactive musical event designed to be one of several party events. Geared for the seven and under set Adler provides live music as well as leads children through musical activities.
Hip Hop is hot, and preteens, tweens and teens can learn all the latest moves at The World of Dance birthday parties. Kids get out on the floor and bustamove as the dance instructor breaks down the dances step-by-step for 45 minutes.
“We want them to have a great time, and then be able to take the moves they learned and show them off at parties and school dances,” said studio owner Danielle Cuzdey. “It’s fun, it’s simple to learn and it’s something cool, not a typical birthday party. Boys like it just as much as the girls.” The cost is $110 for up to 10 kids, and $10 a child after that. After the dance lesson, there is an hour of time for parents to bring in birthday cake, refreshments and pizza, while the birthday boy or girl opens their presents. For some parents the best thing is that they don’t have to clean their house or clean up the mess afterward. For more information call 229-9091 or visit the Web site at www.worldofdancealbany.com.
“There are a variety of activities geared around music and movement,” she said. “Kids love music. The music I do is very interactive.” Children can play along with her while she is singing using hand motions or other physical activity to involve themselves in her performance. Adler said these activities will develop a sense of rhythm, tone and allow their natural abilities for music to flourish uninhibited.
Parents can expect Adler to bring her own box of tricks complete with musical instruments and props used to engage her charges. To learn more about Adler and her programs contact her at 489-7017.
Another option, typically associated more with summer birthdays, is a butterfly party. Reigning Monarchs Butterfly Parties show up with a portable butterfly habitat. This habitat doesn't need much space to set up. The parties provide about one hour of time with the butterflies allowing children to examine the butterfly pavilion and learn about the life cycle stations. Children can pet butterflies, check out their eggs, and examine them in their other stages. Games and crafts appropriate to the age group will also be included.
More information is available on the Web site, www. Bflyparties.com.
Although animals are a still a big part of 4-H, these days members learn public speaking and other skills that prepare them for adulthood.
Readers had this to say
Guest 11/05/08
What a wonderfull ideal Tiny Chef's Teaching the kids about cooking and bringing families back together. I love it. JB Comment about this article.
Posted on Thu, October 25th, 2007Written by: ,
email:
Creating a great birthday party for your child in the cooler months requires a little more imagination and skill than throwing up a bounce house in the back yard and letting the kids wear themselves out. Bringing the party inside may require you to limit the guests but it certainly does not mean you have to limit the fun.
Tiny Chefs offers parties based on their philosophy of “learning through cooking.” Children are exposed to basic educational skills as well as culinary techniques. The guests work with the birthday child as a team to create an entrée and in some cases individual birthday cakes.
“When I grew up, eating with family was a big deal,” said Nicole Wilkie, a co-founder of the Tiny Chefs in Albany. “We’re trying to bring that back. We want the kids to get excited about meals and cooking.”
Parties typically last between 1 ½ and 2 hours with guests receiving an apron and chef’s hat as well as a recipe card for each item they made during the party. A goodie bag, containing a kitchen utensil, completes the cooking themed party.
Wilkie said children love these parties because they feel a sense of accomplishment at the end. The party is entirely hands on with the children getting to do everything from beginning to end. The recipes used at each party vary and are based on what the birthday child would like to eat. Menus can work around allergies and a new selection of sugar free and organic recipes are being tested out at this time.
Wilkie notes children are encouraged to try the foods they have created. This, she says, has resulted in a rewarding experience for many child who had previously turned up their nose at the dish. She said kids see their peers trying something new and leap in to give it a try as well.
The kids leave the party and often go home with recipe cards in hand asking to make the dish for their own family. The birthday parties can be themed events with entrees and cakes designed to match the theme. The best part of this party might be the parents complete lack of involvement in the event. The simply need to invite Tiny Chefs into their home and allow them to take over.
“We bring our own cooking utensils,” said Wilkie. “We bring it all so parents don’t have to worry about having the right stuff or about cleaning up a mess.” Tiny Chefs will also offer classes in your home. To learn more about them contact them through their Web site, www.tinychefs.com, or by calling 221-4052.
Jammin with Julie is another idea that began (and continues to be) a class offering which morphed into a birthday party celebration. Julie Adler responded to clients’ requests to entertain the children during the birthday parties and has created a 30 - 45 minute interactive musical event designed to be one of several party events. Geared for the seven and under set Adler provides live music as well as leads children through musical activities.
Hip Hop is hot, and preteens, tweens and teens can learn all the latest moves at The World of Dance birthday parties. Kids get out on the floor and bustamove as the dance instructor breaks down the dances step-by-step for 45 minutes.
“We want them to have a great time, and then be able to take the moves they learned and show them off at parties and school dances,” said studio owner Danielle Cuzdey. “It’s fun, it’s simple to learn and it’s something cool, not a typical birthday party. Boys like it just as much as the girls.” The cost is $110 for up to 10 kids, and $10 a child after that. After the dance lesson, there is an hour of time for parents to bring in birthday cake, refreshments and pizza, while the birthday boy or girl opens their presents. For some parents the best thing is that they don’t have to clean their house or clean up the mess afterward. For more information call 229-9091 or visit the Web site at www.worldofdancealbany.com.
“There are a variety of activities geared around music and movement,” she said. “Kids love music. The music I do is very interactive.” Children can play along with her while she is singing using hand motions or other physical activity to involve themselves in her performance. Adler said these activities will develop a sense of rhythm, tone and allow their natural abilities for music to flourish uninhibited.
Parents can expect Adler to bring her own box of tricks complete with musical instruments and props used to engage her charges. To learn more about Adler and her programs contact her at 489-7017.
Another option, typically associated more with summer birthdays, is a butterfly party. Reigning Monarchs Butterfly Parties show up with a portable butterfly habitat. This habitat doesn't need much space to set up. The parties provide about one hour of time with the butterflies allowing children to examine the butterfly pavilion and learn about the life cycle stations. Children can pet butterflies, check out their eggs, and examine them in their other stages. Games and crafts appropriate to the age group will also be included.
More information is available on the Web site, www. Bflyparties.com.
Although animals are a still a big part of 4-H, these days members learn public speaking and other skills that prepare them for adulthood.
Readers had this to say
Guest 11/05/08
What a wonderfull ideal Tiny Chef's Teaching the kids about cooking and bringing families back together. I love it. JB Comment about this article.