Teaching Kids the A, B, Cs of Cooking

George Poston, the executive chef at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Costa Mesa, is on a mission to teach youngsters how to cook, especially those who might have to fend for themselves if their parents are working late.

Poston said he was a latchkey kid who learned to cook for himself at a young age. Now he provides cooking demonstrations at his restaurant and during visits to local classrooms.

He will be passing along basic food preparation tips to about 30 fifth-graders from a Costa Mesa elementary school Feb. 15 during a presentation at the restaurant.

“As kids, we would develop considerable appetites that just weren’t satisfied by Pop Tarts and potato chips,” Poston said. “It’s important to demonstrate to these children how to prepare some healthy dishes so that they have an alternative to fast food.”

Poston will emphasize safety during his presentation, urging kids to use a microwave oven since it is the safest way to cook food, avoid knives by using pre-cut vegetables and meats, and wash their hands before and after working with food.