🥔 Order Up! A Conversation with Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food
Katie shares practical tips for picky eaters, building cooking confidence, and making mealtime a joy.
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Katie Kimball on why teaching kids to cook is about more than food — it’s about confidence, creativity, and connection.
As parents, we want to set our kids up for success—but between busy schedules, picky eating, and the convenience of pre-packaged meals, teaching them to cook can feel overwhelming. That’s where Katie Kimball comes in. A former teacher, two-time TEDx speaker, and mom of four, Katie founded Kids Cook Real Food, an online course that makes it easy for families to build confidence in the kitchen. But her mission doesn’t stop at the kitchen—through her #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, she’s empowering kids with practical tools they’ll use for a lifetime, from emotional regulation to time management and even gardening.
In this conversation, Katie shares how her own parenting journey led her to launch Kids Cook Real Food, why teaching life skills is about so much more than just cooking, and the best way to get kids involved in the kitchen (hint: not at dinnertime!). She also talks about tackling picky eating, the power of connected meal planning, and how small, everyday lessons can set kids up for success in adulthood.
Whether you're looking for ways to help your kids gain independence or just want to make mealtime a little less stressful, Katie’s insights are packed with practical, judgment-free advice. And if you want to dive deeper, you can always sign up for the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, and you can click here for a special free preview of past #LifeSkillsNow lessons - check out the full season 3 of the #LifeSkillsNow summer camp! (Season 4 coming soon this summer 2025 - stay tuned!).
A special offer from Katie and Kids Cook Real Food:
Give Your Kids Confidence in the Kitchen 👨🍳
We all know the feeling — your kid asks for a snack right when you’re finally sitting down, and suddenly you’re back on your feet, buttering toast or making another PB&J. But what if they could do it themselves? That’s the magic of the Kids Cook Real Food eCourse. Taught by mom and teacher Katie Kimball, this course gives kids real kitchen skills, helping them build confidence and independence while actually making your life easier.
And the best part? Kids love it. One mom shared how her 5-year-old, fresh from the eCourse, proudly made his own sandwich and couldn’t wait to tell his teacher. Whether you’re dreaming of easier mealtimes, fewer kitchen battles, or just a little extra help around the house, Kids Cook Real Food is a win-win. Sign up now and see just how capable your kids can be!
Learn more and purchase the eCourse here!
Empowering Kids in the Kitchen: A Conversation with Katie Kimball
Introduce Yourself: I’m Katie Kimball — a mom of four, a former teacher, and the founder of Kids Cook Real Food. When kids learn to cook, they eat healthier foods, grow into responsible adults, and help out their families right away. Through our eCourse and the #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, I teach essential life skills that go beyond cooking — from budgeting to problem-solving.
What inspired you to create the Kids Cook Real Food e-course?
When I became a mom, I realized how important food and health were, but I also made all the mistakes—burning things, making messes, and taking forever to learn basic techniques. As a teacher at heart, I kept thinking: How can I help other moms speed up this learning process and balance budget, time, and nutrition?
I started my blog, Kitchen Stewardship, to help parents navigate these challenges. Over and over, I heard the same story: ‘I’d love to be healthy, but I was never taught to cook.’ That’s when it hit me—if our generation is struggling, we’re not teaching our kids either. I wanted to stop the cycle so that in 20 years, today’s kids aren’t saying, ‘I don’t know how to cook.’ Kids Cook Real Food was my way to step into that gap and make it easier for parents to teach their kids—without the stress.
Did you grow up cooking? Was food a big part of your family life?
My mom was a great cook and baker, and she made a lot of homemade meals—but with a mix of processed ingredients. Her spaghetti sauce, for example, started with two cans of Campbell’s tomato soup! So while I had a stronger foundation than many of my peers, I wasn’t expected to cook. I was so busy in middle and high school that my mom just handled it all. Ironically, she started learning from me after I got into food blogging. Suddenly, she was making sourdough, homemade yogurt, and cooking with more fresh vegetables!
What was your first big learning moment cooking with your own kids?
It’s actually a tough memory. My oldest, Paul, was helping in the kitchen from 18 months old. By age four, he could make scrambled eggs, and he even drew a preschool picture of himself cooking at the stove—with no parent in sight! But when I tried to introduce my second child, Leah, to the kitchen, it didn’t go as smoothly.
I gave her what I thought was a dull cheese knife, and within seconds, she cut herself. I felt like a total failure. It really shook my confidence and made me hesitate to bring my kids into the kitchen for a while. Looking back, I see how common these little setbacks are, and they shouldn’t stop us. But at the time, it felt huge!
How did Kids Cook Real Food expand into teaching broader life skills?
I kept hearing from parents that they wanted their kids to have life skills. That’s why they were buying the cooking course. That made me think—cooking is just one piece of the puzzle. What about financial literacy, gardening, emotional regulation?
So I launched #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp, where I bring in experts to teach kids everything from soft skills like handling emotions to practical skills like budgeting and growing food. It’s a full week of learning for free, and many families opt for access to the workshops year-round (year-round access can be purchased as an e-course). I love that my business can also be a mission.
You also run a picky eating challenge—what’s your approach to helping kids try new foods?
Picky eating is rarely just about the food itself—it’s about physiology, relationships, and emotions. There’s no magic recipe or quick fix because sometimes the root of the issue is physiological — something in a child’s body may be blocking their ability to enjoy certain foods. Other times, it’s about their relationship with food, which takes time to build.
The first step is for parents to stop stressing at the table. Instead of worrying about every single bite, think long-term. This isn’t just about today’s meal — eating is an 18-year process, not a one-meal battle.
It also helps to adopt a growth mindset. Saying ‘My kid doesn’t like Brussels sprouts’ is limiting. But trying different preparations — like roasting them with olive oil instead of steaming — can create a totally new experience. Adults have preferences, and kids do too! I always encourage parents to add ‘yet’ to their mindset: ‘My child doesn’t like this food yet.’ That leaves space for growth and curiosity at the table.
What’s your advice for busy families trying to integrate cooking into daily life?
Don’t let your kids help at dinnertime. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. Dinner is stressful. Parents are in a rush, and when kids ask to help, we either rush them or get frustrated. That creates a negative experience.
Instead, teach skills separately. Pick a low-pressure time—Saturday mornings, after school—and focus on one small skill, like measuring or chopping. Then, at dinnertime, they can practice that skill with confidence. Over time, kids become true helpers, not just ‘extra work.’
What’s your best meal-planning tip?
Connected meal planning—make one meal flow into the next. If you roast a chicken, use leftovers for soup or tacos. If you cook beans, use them in chili one night and burritos another. It saves time, money, and mental energy.
What’s one kitchen skill every home cook should learn?
Knife skills. If kids (and adults!) can confidently chop and prep produce, they unlock the whole world of fresh food. The more comfortable they are with a knife, the more likely they are to eat real, whole ingredients.
What’s a favorite go-to meal in your house?
Tacos! My husband originally made them once a week, but last year, my 12-year-old took over. He co-cooked with Dad for a month, then started making them himself. He mastered the timing and process, and now, tacos are his meal. It’s been amazing to see his confidence grow.
What’s one small joy in your everyday life?
Watching my kids gain independence—whether it’s cooking a meal, managing their own schedule, or making a smart choice. Seeing them grow into capable, confident people is the most rewarding thing.