To raise adventurous, self-sufficient and health-conscious eaters, get kids in the kitchen.

It might sound too simple, but those are just a few of the benefits when kids learn to cook. Cooking builds life skills, promotes healthy eating, boosts confidence and strengthens family bonds — all while making mealtime fun.

“It helps to think of it as less of a chore and more of an opportunity to be together as a family,” said Jessica Battilana, staff editor at King Arthur Baking Co., which offers adult and children’s cooking classes.

The food doesn’t need to be fancy, and it doesn’t all have to be homemade.

I don’t pay attention to all the viral food trends on TikTok and Instagram. There are so many crazy recipes screaming for attention, and so many of them just seem dumb. But every once in a while something looks just so incredibly awesome that I have to try it.

That includes the Dubai chocolate trend, which became something of a cultural phenomenon in early 2024 after a TikTok influencer posted a video of her sampling the decadent chocolate bar stuffed with pistachio cream and toasted kataifi, a crispy, shredded phyllo dough used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern desserts and dishes.