Cooking & Nutrition Curriculum

Master essential life skills through hands-on cooking, nutrition science, food safety, and meal planning that will serve students throughout their lives.

Cooking is Life Independence

Cooking and nutrition knowledge are fundamental life skills. Beyond just preparing food, these skills encompass budgeting, planning, science, creativity, cultural understanding, and health management. Students who can cook and eat well have better health, save money, and enjoy greater independence.

Essential Cooking & Nutrition Skills

Food Safety & Hygiene

• Hand washing and personal hygiene
• Safe food storage temperatures
• Cross-contamination prevention
• Proper food handling techniques
• Understanding expiration dates
• Kitchen sanitation practices
• Foodborne illness prevention
• HACCP principles (Hazard Analysis)

Cooking Techniques

• Knife skills and safety
• Heat transfer methods (conduction, convection, radiation)
• Sautéing, braising, roasting, steaming
• Baking and pastry fundamentals
• Grilling and outdoor cooking
• Food preservation methods
• Recipe reading and scaling
• Timing and organization (mise en place)

Nutrition Science

• Macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats)
• Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals)
• Calorie understanding and balance
• Reading nutrition labels
• Dietary guidelines and recommendations
• Special dietary needs and restrictions
• Hydration and electrolyte balance
• Nutrient density vs. calorie density

Meal Planning & Budgeting

• Weekly and monthly meal planning
• Grocery budgeting and shopping strategies
• Seasonal and local food sourcing
• Bulk buying and food storage
• Leftover management and repurposing
• Cost per serving calculations
• Pantry staples and inventory management
• Emergency food preparation

Cultural & Global Foods

• World cuisine exploration
• Cultural food traditions and significance
• Regional American cooking styles
• Holiday and celebration foods
• Immigration and food fusion
• Religious and cultural dietary laws
• Sustainable and ethical food choices
• Farm-to-table understanding

Food Science & Chemistry

• Chemical reactions in cooking (Maillard, caramelization)
• pH levels and acidity in cooking
• Emulsification and molecular gastronomy basics
• Fermentation processes
• Gluten development and bread science
• Food additives and preservatives
• Enzyme activity and food ripening
• Water activity and food preservation

Interactive Recipe Scaler & Calculator

Learn recipe math and cooking measurements with this hands-on recipe scaling tool. Practice converting measurements, understanding ratios, and scaling recipes for different serving sizes.

Recipe Scaler & Calculator

Choose a Recipe:

Recipe Name:

Original Servings:

Target Servings:

Scaling Factor: 1.00x(24 → 24 servings)

Ingredients

2.3 cups

1 tsp

1 cup

3/4 cup

2 large

2 tsp

2 cups

Scaled Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies (Serves 24)

Ingredients:

• 2.3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup Brown sugar
• 3/4 cup White sugar
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 2 cups Chocolate chips

Cooking Math Tips:

• To scale a recipe up, multiply all ingredients by the same factor
• To scale down, divide all ingredients by the same factor
• Cooking times may need adjustment when scaling - larger batches take longer
• Some ingredients like spices may not scale linearly - taste and adjust
• Practice converting between units: 1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp

Progressive Cooking Education

Elementary Foundation (K-5)

Kitchen Safety & Basics

• Kitchen safety rules and emergency procedures
• Proper hand washing techniques
• Kitchen tool identification and safe use
• Simple measuring (cups, spoons, scales)
• Following simple recipes with supervision
• Basic food groups and healthy choices

Simple Cooking Projects

• No-bake recipes (trail mix, smoothies)
• Simple sandwiches and wraps
• Basic salads with washing and chopping
• Breakfast foods (cereal, toast, fruit)
• Setting table and basic meal presentation
• Kitchen cleanup and organization

Building Skills (6-8)

Cooking Techniques

• Basic knife skills and vegetable preparation
• Stovetop cooking (boiling, sautéing, frying)
• Oven use and basic baking
• Understanding cooking temperatures
• Recipe modification and substitutions
• Multi-step meal preparation

Nutrition & Planning

• Balanced meal planning
• Reading nutrition labels
• Understanding portion sizes
• Basic grocery shopping skills
• Cultural foods exploration
• Dietary restrictions and allergies

Advanced Application (9-12)

Advanced Cooking

• Complex cooking techniques and timing
• Baking and pastry arts
• Menu planning for events and groups
• Food presentation and plating
• Preservation methods (canning, freezing, dehydrating)
• Advanced knife skills and butchery basics

Life Skills Integration

• Budget management and cost analysis
• Nutritional needs for different life stages
• Food entrepreneurship and business basics
• Sustainable food systems and environmental impact
• Cooking for special diets and health conditions
• Food photography and social media

Hands-On Cooking Projects

Family Meal Planning Challenge

Plan, shop for, and prepare a week's worth of healthy family meals within a specific budget constraint.

Skills: Budgeting, nutrition planning, shopping, time management, cooking

Cultural Cuisine Exploration

Research and prepare traditional dishes from different cultures, learning about their history and significance.

Skills: Cultural research, cooking techniques, presentation, historical understanding

Farm-to-Table Project

Visit local farms, farmers markets, or grow your own ingredients, then create meals showcasing seasonal produce.

Skills: Agricultural understanding, seasonal cooking, sustainability, nutrition

Special Diet Menu Development

Create a complete menu for someone with specific dietary restrictions (gluten-free, diabetic, vegan, etc.).

Skills: Nutritional analysis, adaptation, empathy, recipe modification

Food Business Simulation

Start a small food business (bake sale, catering, food truck concept) including menu development and costing.

Skills: Entrepreneurship, cost analysis, marketing, customer service, food safety

Food Science Experiments

Conduct controlled experiments testing variables in cooking (pH, temperature, time) and document results.

Skills: Scientific method, hypothesis testing, data collection, analysis

Community Cooking Service

Prepare meals for elderly neighbors, new parents, or community members in need, learning service and empathy.

Skills: Service learning, planning, nutrition for different needs, community engagement

Holiday Feast Planning

Plan and execute a complete holiday meal for extended family, including timing, dietary accommodations, and traditions.

Skills: Large-scale cooking, timing coordination, hospitality, tradition understanding

Food Preservation Workshop

Learn and practice various food preservation methods: canning, dehydrating, fermenting, and freezing techniques.

Skills: Food safety, preservation science, self-sufficiency, traditional skills

Essential Kitchen Setup for Homeschool Cooking

Essential Tools (Start Here)

• Chef's knife (8-10 inch) and paring knife
• Cutting boards (separate for meat/vegetables)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen scale for accuracy
• Mixing bowls (various sizes)
• Can opener and bottle opener
• Wooden spoons and spatulas
• Timer and instant-read thermometer

Cooking Equipment

• Heavy-bottomed saucepans (small, medium, large)
• Non-stick and stainless steel skillets
• Sheet pans and baking dishes
• Dutch oven or large pot
• Colander and fine-mesh strainer
• Whisk and tongs
• Vegetable peeler and grater
• Kitchen towels and pot holders

Advanced Equipment (Later)

• Stand mixer for baking projects
• Food processor for chopping/mixing
• Immersion blender for soups
• Slow cooker or Instant Pot
• Mandoline slicer (with safety guard)
• Kitchen torch for finishing
• Pasta machine or bread maker
• Dehydrator for preservation projects

Budget-Friendly Tips:

• Start with basic tools and build gradually as skills develop
• Check thrift stores and estate sales for quality used equipment
• Invest in a few high-quality basics rather than many cheap tools
• Many tasks can be done by hand - equipment enhances but isn't always necessary

Recommended Cooking & Nutrition Resources

Free Resources

MyPlate (USDA)

Government nutrition guidelines, meal planning tools, and educational materials.

Explore Resources

FoodSafety.gov

Comprehensive food safety information, guidelines, and educational materials.

Learn Safety

Kids Cook Real Food

Age-appropriate cooking lessons and knife skills for children and teens.

Start Cooking

Curricula & Books

"Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat

Understanding the fundamental elements of good cooking and flavor development.

Adult/Teen Book

4-H Food & Nutrition Projects

Structured curricula for different ages focusing on cooking skills and nutrition education.

Free Curriculum

"How to Cook Everything Kids" by Mark Bittman

Simple, clear instructions for kids to learn fundamental cooking skills.

Children's Book

Online Platforms & Apps

America's Test Kitchen Kids

Science-based cooking lessons and experiments designed specifically for children.

Subscription

Yummly or Epicurious

Recipe platforms with filtering options for dietary restrictions and skill levels.

Free Apps

MyFitnessPal or Cronometer

Nutrition tracking apps to understand calorie and nutrient content of foods.

Freemium Apps

Assessment & Progress Tracking

Portfolio Components

Cooking Photo Journal: Photos of dishes with reflections on what worked/didn't
Recipe Collection: Favorite recipes with personal modifications and notes
Meal Planning Examples: Complete weekly meal plans with shopping lists and budgets
Cultural Food Research: Reports on different cuisines with tried recipes
Nutrition Analysis Projects: Analysis of meals or dietary patterns

Skill Assessment Methods

Practical Demonstrations: Show knife skills, food safety practices, cooking techniques
Menu Planning Challenges: Create nutritious, budget-conscious meal plans
Teaching Others: Student teaches cooking skills to younger siblings or friends
Problem-Solving: Adapt recipes for dietary restrictions or missing ingredients
Independence Test: Prepare complete meals without assistance

Parent Teaching Guide

Creating a Safe Learning Environment

• Start with safety rules and repeat them frequently
• Use age-appropriate tasks and gradually increase complexity
• Stay close for supervision but allow independence to grow
• Make mistakes learning opportunities, not failures
• Let them help with real family meals, not just "practice" cooking
• Encourage experimentation and creativity in the kitchen
• Connect cooking to other subjects (math, science, culture)
• Celebrate successes and progress, not just perfect outcomes

Common Challenges & Solutions

"It's faster if I do it myself"

Remember: you're teaching life skills, not just making dinner. The extra time is an investment.

"They don't like trying new foods"

Involve them in preparation - kids are more likely to try foods they helped make.

"Kitchen messes stress me out"

Teach cleanup as part of cooking. Set expectations and make it part of the routine.

"We have dietary restrictions"

Use restrictions as learning opportunities - adaptations, substitutions, and understanding nutrition needs.