Every parent (and even us non-parents) knows that kids, plus sharp objects, generally equals disaster. So, when it’s go-time to get dinner on the table, telling your eight-year-old to get chopping on some onions isn’t usually an option.
Enter Chef Maribel, private chef, TED speaker and founder of FoodDiva.com. She’s produced a film called The Cutting Edge of Child’s Play, teaching kids age seven and older how to use knives. Hey Mom, looks like you’ve got another helper in the kitchen.
Tonic spoke to Chef Maribel about what inspired her to create this film. She said, “Basically, I’m a firm believer that no matter what you’re lifestyle is, you need knife skills. It’s a basic concept. A knife is found in every home but most people think of it as a weapon. It’s a simple solution to stick a knife into a child hands and teach them how to use it. It gives them more culinary confidence and self-confidence. Plus, they are more likely to make better food choices even when the parents aren’t around because they are empowered. We tell them to eat better but don’t give them the tools to do it.” Teaching kids how to cook, she believes, will make them healthier, more self-assured adults.
Partly inspired by Angelina Jolie receiving slack for her admission that she’s taught her nine-year-old son, Maddox, knife skills. Chef Maribel said, “I thought it was actually a responsible approach and I respected and admired Angelina for it. I didn’t understand the controversy.”
Larry Feldman, TV producer of Global TV’s Foodies commends Chef Maribel’s, “amazing personality and love of food.” He’s a huge supporter of the film and says, “What better way to develop confidence early on in children than to teach them the proper way to use the proper kitchen tools and [there's] no better person to do that than Maribel.”
When asked what she hopes parents will get from the film, Chef Maribel said, “I hope families will watch this video realize its not hard, its very simple, its logical and it makes a lot of long-term sense. It’s a life skill that will save themselves, their children and future generations. Families will conserve time, energy and [keep away] health issues.”
Kathy Jackson, the mom of a child in The Cutting Edge of Child’s Play said, “I trusted Chef Maribel to teach my young son because this was not something I wanted to leave to trial and error. Our family is already enjoying Joey’s newfound kitchen confidence. The importance of good tools combined with good training is extremely important.”
For those of us not in Waterloo, Canada where the film will be debuting, online viewing becomes available the same day as the premiere Nov. 12 for C$1.99.
The best part of the production of The Cutting Edge of Child’s Play is that all proceeds of the film will go towards the 30 Million Dollar Challenge, supporting food banks. Chef Maribel believes that donating funds to food banks is the short-term solution to people living on low food budgets; the long-term solution is, “education: learn to cook, starting with the right tool, a knife!” With regards to the films debut she says, “It’s nice to take my message global I’m really excited to share this knowledge with people and the reaction we’re getting is phenomenal.”
Thanks Chef Maribel for giving the kids of the world one more chore! At least it’s a nutritious and delicious one …
Check out Larry Feldman’s shout-out to Chef Maribel:
Image 1 courtesy of whatscooking at Flickr, Image 2 courtesy of David Chidley Photography.
