To allow my 10 yr old DS cook dinner every day

[NobbyD]

DS is 10 and massively into cooking. He pretty much thinks, reads and watches everything there is to know about cooking, baking and cuisine. He's a little chef in the making.

He started cooking dinners once a week for us, then got the buzz and now pretty much plans our weekly meals using recipes from Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey and the like. He makes breakfast and dinner every single day. And I'm not talking bung in the oven, or jar stuff. He'll cook risottos, seafood pasta, curries, and especially likes cooking fish and seafood with an array of veg. His ultimate day out is going to the fishmonger, choosing a fish he's not heard of and then finding a recipe, then going to a greengrocer for organic veg and then cooking it. He's honestly amazing! And I've even now got him washing up before and after.

My question is, should I allow him to cook every day? I've been told that I shouldn't let my 10yr old cook for me everyday. That it could be dangerous for 10yr old to be using the oven, the hobs, grill, etc etc. That I'm the mother, I should be cooking for him or at least with him (he doesn't want me in the kitchen, he hates it if I look over him but I am supervising from the other room where I can see him). But tbh, he's better than me. His meals are nutritious, cooked from scratch, and balanced (nothing that I could achieve). But I've been told that like any hobby/obsession, there needs to be a balance. He needs to find other interests. He's only 10!

He plays football for a team too. He also has a younger brother, 6, who is disabled. So his cooking time is when he gets to relax and do something he loves away from his very demanding brother. I've even woken up of a weekend and DS1 is making cakes with DS2 at 7.30am letting his little bro stir the mix!!

I'm trying to find him a culinary school but all the ones for kids are basic stuff like pizza making, which is so below his standard he'd be bored, and all the ones he would like to do are for adults only.

AIBU to allow him to indulge in his cooking obsession at 10 or should I fully embrace this and be grateful I have DS who is smart, talented, and wants to cook for the family?

I don’t see any harm in it if he’s enjoying it. Just make sure he knows it’s not expected of him and if he wants a day off that’s fine.

Not everyone wants or needs to be a social butterfly in life. One or two good friends is plenty for many people, including me. I hate this constant push on kids to be out socialising. Your DS is happy as he is, good for him! He sounds great and you're doing the right thing in supporting and encouraging him.

Thank you everyone! Didn't realise this thread would be so popular. I've attached a couple of pics so you can see the stuff he's producing. Here we have the salmon, fennel and pea risotto, the crab curry with coconut rice and coconut naan bread (yes, he made and baked that from scratch too), and sesame tuna with sugar snaps. That's just his stuff recently... I have tons more pics. Is it worth getting him on instagram??

Op he sounds amazing and a true credit to you .My DS who is now in his early 20's loved to cook growing up .When he went to uni it really showed .He ate well and used to cook for his friends .His meals are gorgeous and his Sunday roast 😍.He and his partner often have friends round for dinner so i think it's fab your son is doing this .Infact he has more mod cons in his kitchen than i do .

Wow OP he will go far .They look amazing , you definitely have a chef there in the making .

@Hearthside - thank you

Let him do what's he wants. Just check with him if he wants you to cook or some help.
I think he knows his passion and may choose to be a professional chef when he is older.
Delia Smith it's a great cook self made. Just let him do what he is doing. I'm jealous 😍

He sounds lovely, you've got a little chef in the making by the sounds of it.

Not wishing to derail though but does this remind anyone of the thread about the DS who wanted to go to a 'no cooking' uni despite the fact he 'lives and breathes cooking'?!

What a lovely thread this is! OP,)he sounds fab 😊. My 9 and 11 year olds would love to cook more but I end up putting them off because life gets so busy and it's easier for me to cook (and I do love cooking tbh). But this has inspired me to let them get more involved... thanks!

No advice sorry but can I say he sounds wonderful! I couldn't help smile reading this!

@IDrinkFromTheKegOfGlory thank you! Sometimes I do wish I could discourage him and bung some fish fingers in the oven for him as life is hectic, both me and DH work full time, plus having DS2 with a disability. But the cooking keeps DS1 occupied. And it's kinda great that when I get home from work, he's already prepped dinner and is waiting for me (his Nan is usually with him, or his Dad, when I can't do pick up - just in case people think he's home alone doing any of that!!!)

@Aswad - thank you and I'm glad it made you smile. I realise I am quite lucky

Good morning, folks. My first time here. With regards your biggest littlun, you are in a fantastic position. How many of us found our calling at such a young age? By the time DS1 is 18 he's going to be well on the way to fame, fortune and must importantly, happiness. Why would you even consider restricting that? Encourage him, set challenges and enjoy, knowing a path has been chosen already. Do offer to cook, and wash up etc, in case he needs a break.. But if he says no, then he doesn't need a break. I look forward to eating in one of his restaurants 10 years from now.

As long as he wants to cook, no problem. DD (10) often cooks now, especially when she doesn't want what her brother's having.

Yes, your DS could have accidents, but the odd burn is hardly life endangering, and the more he does, the safer he will be.

how did you train him up to this standard?

I am so envious

@Brooksay - aww thank you so much! He says he does want to open a restaurant and it'll also give his brother a job as the greeter, his brother with special needs loves chatting to people, I think they'd make a formidable team [grins]

@captainblonde I wish I could take credit for it! I guess somewhere along the line, I must have started the interest in him. We always baked together but honestly, I'm a terrible cook. Perhaps thats the reason he took over! What I believe it is, not only a true passion and interest, but he can follow instructions very well. Give him a recipe and he'll reproduce it perfectly. Whereas me, bung it in hope for the best haha!

Your DS sounds amazing. He might enjoy the demonstration classes at Divertimenti cooking school. He can't do a knife skills class until 16 and you would have to check if there's an age restriction on the demo ones but I can't see one. www.divertimenti.co.uk/cookery-school. I've taken a few and the teachers/authors are great...

He sounds like a dream child! I'd encourage the cooking you never know it may become something he'd like to pursue as an adult. Although I would ensure that the dishes and cleaning of the kitchen afterwards is done by someone else, it's only fair!

@MNOverinvestor - thank you, I'll take a look :)

That risotto looks amazing. I'm impressed.

This would probably be a book he would love on the right. . I picked it up in a charity shop and it's invaluable for inspiration.

He should start an instagram, he could include his delicious recipes in there too! A star chef in the making OP :)

@CrispbuttyNo1 Thank you. That risotto was actually to die for. Loved every mouthful. I'll have a trawl for those books too :)

This thread made my day. Actually, it made me create an account just to offer encouragement. And it made me smile. Thanks, NobbyD.

I would like to adopt him please :)