Little Chefs Academy

Instead of adults doing the real work while children sprinkle a bit of cheese on top, this book invites kids to take the lead on each recipe. The steps are broken down into clear, visual stages so children can see what comes next and feel the satisfaction of completing tasks themselves, from measuring ingredients to plating the final dish.

The layouts are deliberately simple and uncluttered, using big pictures, minimal text and consistent icons so even early readers can follow along with limited help. Each recipe encourages children to fetch their own tools, pour, stir, spread and tidy up, mirroring practical life activities in a Montessori classroom where independence is the main goal.

The book is organised as a gentle skills journey. Children start with straightforward actions like washing fruit and stirring batter, then gradually move on to more complex tasks such as measuring, safe cutting and using heat, helping them build focus, coordination and confidence step by step. 

Above all, the cookbook keeps cooking fun, with child friendly choices, colourful pages and plenty of chances to get hands messy and experiment. Imagination, curiosity and wobbly pancakes are treated as part of the adventure, turning the kitchen into a place of joy and curiosity so children want to come back and keep learning.

This cookbook has been shaped at the kitchen table, not in a boardroom. Children helped pick recipes, follow the steps and tell us what was confusing or boring, while parents tested how realistic it was on busy weeknights. Their feedback led to bigger pictures, clearer icons, fewer fussy steps and recipes that real families actually want to eat. The result is a book that works for grown‑ups in charge of safety and shopping, and for children who want to lead, experiment and feel proud of what they make.