Christina Dymock has just released her new book — Young Chefs: Cooking Skills and Recipes for Kids. Now, I am not much of a cook (I’d much rather spend my time writing!).  But I do want my children to learn how to make more than Ramen or peanut butter sandwiches and for that, this book is perfect.

Here’s the description:

Young Chefs is a children’s cookbook written to make teaching kids to cook easier. It has a lot of delicious recipes inside. There’s a section with hints and tips for adults teaching kids, there’s a starter guide for kids including pictures of some basic kitchen skills, and there’s a glossary of terms for everyone to use.

The book is broken up into six sections: breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, sides and desserts. At the top of each recipe, you’ll see an icon with a kitchen appliance. This can let an adult know at a glance what kitchen tools the kids will need in order to make that recipe. It’s nice to be able to quickly assess if they can make it on their own or if you’ll need to supervise. You’ll also find a tool box that tells kids what they’ll need to make that recipe, like bowls, spoons, measuring cups and etc.

How cool is that?

Christina also agreed to give me an interview and I was surprised at how much we have in common.

Where and when do you write?

I split my writing between my home office and my kitchen. I find that when I am creating recipes I do better if I am away from the kitchen. This may be because my brain is wired into smells. If we had pancakes for breakfast and I can still smell the syrup, then I have a really hard time wrapping my head around a tomato-based soup. Once I have the basic idea down on paper, then I take it to the kitchen and test it out. Most often I end up tweaking things, leaving out an ingredient or adding four more as things come together.

Are you a big reader? If so, what are you reading now?

I am a big reader. I read 5-7 books a week on a good week. I read everything I can get my hands on. I read biographies, historical novels, clean romance, dystopian, YA, and middle grade. I just finished Dan Brown’s Inferno. I’m in the middle of Case File 13 with my 9 yo and Captain Underpants Something or Other with my 6 yo.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I don’t know how hidden it is, but I sew. I sew Halloween costumes for my kids, fancy Sunday dresses for my daughter, summer dresses and skirts for myself, and I’ve even made a couple business suites to wear to conferences.

Movie or Book you look forward to the release?

I cannot tell a lie – I totally anticipated the release of Iron Man 3. Like, make a paper chain to count down the days. No spoiler alerts here, I’ll just say it was worth waiting for!

Salty or Sweet? 

I’ll go sweet every day of the week. I could live off chocolate. If there’s no chocolate in life then what’s the point?

Red or Pink?

I’m going to have to say pink. Even though I was the only girl in the family growing up and even though I had three boys before I got a girl, I’m pink through and through.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Go out and meet people in the business. Introduce yourself, be friendly, and have a good time. The more people you know the more opportunities that will come up. Don’t be afraid to try something new with your writing. Bravery can take you on all sorts of exciting roads.

Thanks, Christina! I’m definitely looking forward to using your book to teach my kids to cook. (Maybe I can get them to make dinner every night!)