Don't sweat the small stuff, just go on

Take boxes/bags for your dirty stuff. Also have plastic/paper bags set up for trash.

Let them know rules for chatting, it is ok, but when you want to make a point - quiet!

Have name tags. Quickly find out who can assist you and ask that person to come up and do chores.

Arrive early and take a few minutes to go over notes on recipes. Remember don't sweat the small...

Have a large glass of water handy.

Have something ready to eat (a tidbit)when they arrive...it breaks down the peer pressure thing.

Arrange recipes so you can teach technique while they are enjoying eating a "recipe" - it will be very quiet...they can't chat with full mouths.

 
Don't sweat the small stuff, just go on

Take boxes/bags for your dirty stuff. Also have plastic/paper bags set up for trash.
Let them know rules for chatting, it is ok, but when you want to make a point - quiet!
Have name tags. Quickly find out who can assist you and ask that person to come up and do chores.
Arrive early and take a few minutes to go over notes on recipes. Remember don't sweat the small...
Have a large glass of water handy.
Have something ready to eat (a tidbit)when they arrive...it breaks down the peer pressure thing.
Arrange recipes so you can teach technique while they are enjoying eating a "recipe" - it will be very quiet...they can't chat with full mouths.

 
i always did the same thing as Michelle- lists, lists, lists. it calmed me and got me

feeling confident about the organization of it all. You have a great format, MCM- you will have a ball and everyone will have a wonderful time.

Good luck!

 
M

michelle

Well-known member
your format sounds good - one tip for the items you're bringing:

the way i make up a list is i run though each recipe & check off each ingredient, then go through the recipe & visualize every tool/utensil/cooking vessel that I will use to prepare each ingredient & each step of the recipe.

in the end, despite the list, somehow i usually end up forgetting one or two things out of a list of about 100 things.........but i've always managed to ad lib smileys/wink.gif

i do find knowing i have my list all checked off calms my nerves

good luck!

 
Make sure you don't talk "at" them too much. You can tell them a few things up front but save lots

of the talking while you (or they) are doing. Ask THEM questions, like "how many of you are Italian?" "What parts of Italy were your family from? " Find out what their levels of kitchen experience from & team them up. Lots of this depends on how well they know each other. Maybe try to get some input on what they think are the safety & sanitation rules. Throw in a couple of teenage-related ones. Like don't cook hot stuff or chop up food while wearing flip flops. And humor, don't forget to use it liberally.

 
As a former high-school teacher, I second Luisa's advice... Questions are good - anything that >>

...requires a response and helps them connect to you on an individual basis. "What's your favorite Italian dish/favorite Italian restaurants/etc.?" If a lot of them watch cooking shows, they'll probably be able to name favorite chefs...

This sounds like an obvious one, but nametags are useful. smileys/smile.gif Nametag with name + fave Italian food icon (meatball, pasta, pizza, etc.)...

These might not be wholly applicable to a kitchen situation, but some of the most useful tips I learned as a high-school teacher were:

1. Keep it moving and fast-paced. (Of course, safety supersedes this in a kitchen!) That way, they absolutely have to pay attention to see what's going on.

2. Move around the room during group work. (Ok, I know that one is obvious.)

3. Specific and individual praise can really go a long way toward bringing a group together.

4. Since you've already done this, you probably have a Q&A section built in; with teens, it helps to do this after each big chunk of instructions. Get them to name the major steps/instructions back to you and then ask if there are questions. Just an idea.

Have fun! It'll be fabulous and everyone will have a blast, I'm sure. smileys/smile.gif

p.s. These are *so* not meant to be didactic...just some thoughts. smileys/smile.gif))

 
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