Owen is quite a little cook. Anyone who’s ever known Owen has known that Owen is a handful (and a half). Because he is all spunk all the time, they’d be surprised to know how truly great he is in the kitchen. While his energy is boundless, his ability to focus in on a task is extraordinary… when (and if) the task is something he’s interested in. And he’s very interested in food. The boy can eat. Lots. But he can also savor, taste, and enjoy. Of our three bambinos, Owen is definitely the most Foodie. He will often taste something I’ve made and guess, correctly, the ingredients. He knows when I’ve added butter to the macaroni and cheese, and when I haven’t. He’ll experiment with anything and try everything. Nothing daunts him where the culinary world is concerned. He is a food lover and is well on his way to being a really good chef. I could not be more proud. This kid drives me nuts. Daily. But he also makes my heart sing. Daily. He is a whirlwind of messy, a tornado of flour flying, a food-stain magnet. Often I wonder if time spent with him in the kitchen is actually worth it (the clean up takes at least twice as long as it took to cook whatever it was that we cooked). But nothing much delights me more than watching my boy cook. And there is nobody in the whole wide world I’d rather cook with than Owen. I say that with complete sincerity.
His favorite is to help with pasta sauces (because he loves them. all of them). Cooking shrimp scampi:
He also loves grilling (a man after my own heart!). Grilling kabobs:
And he’s absolutely enamored with kitchen tools the way that Kyle is with power tools. One thing most people don’t realize about Owen is that he would choose the Cuisinart over the chainsaw any day of the week:
He sometimes bakes with his sister, or his brother, which he enjoys:
But most often, he cooks alone with Mama, which he enjoys the most. Making himself a cheese omelet:
I’m impressed. I’m 26 and still can’t make a cheese omelet lol
The time you spend cooking with Owen will serve him well later in life. My youngest son, too loved to cook. Twenty-eight years later, he still loves experimenting in the kitchen. Heather, it’s nice you are helping Owen gain a lifelong skill.
Okay, interesting . . . Jafta is quite the ball of energy AND a foodie but I’m still a little scared of him working near a stove. Maybe it’s time?
That’s great that he’s enjoying it so much! My brother has a huge appetite and eats frequent “snacks” and by “snacks” it’s what you’d consider a proper meal – so very much like your boys…luckily he’s also interested in cooking (unfortunately, even aged 22 years old he’s still not mastered washing up or cleaning up :S) so he’s always cooking his “snacks”! Happy cooking!
– Kate
Hmm. J loves food prep and likes to make up his own recipes too. Although, he didn’t come home until he was almost 12 and had to learn by experience that you can’t put spoons or foil in the microwave. He also sees things he thinks he wants to add because he saw someone put something that looked like it in their food but it really isn’t what he thinks and sometimes doesn’t turn out well. He calls himself “Chef Kazowski” when he cooks.
Amy(TN)
I am always amazed by your incredible children. Kids come with their own personalities, but I love your parenting style too. Both of you do such a wonderful job of encouraging and exploring with each of your three kids in a way that is truly inspiring. I really love seeing your family here on your blog.
I want a meal prepared by Owen. Mac & Cheese please