Kids learning to cook with Julianna Banana

Tween girl holding Casserole dish of chicken pot pie with pot holders

My daughter, 11, loves to cook. She often likes to cook when I don’t feel like cooking - but since she doesn’t know how to cook she needs a lot of guidance. I am a huge fan of teaching my kids skills that teach them life skills, especially ones that mean I have to do less of the meal prep!

That’s why I was so intrigued when I heard about Julianna Banana. They sell kits that come with recipes, information, and tools for kids to get comfortable going beyond the grilled cheese sandwich and frozen pizza they may be used to making. We were excited to partner with them to try out their products and tell you all about it!

Juliette got to try out their harvest box and really loved the experience!

Heart shaped sugar cookies with orange and black sprinkles

What did she make?

She made sugar cookies and chicken pot pie (including the crust!!)

I don’t think I’ve ever made my own pie crust so I was particularly impressed with that part!

What did she love?

“I liked how easy the recipes were and how everyone in the family likes the food I made! And it was really fun to make! 

I also loved how the cards were laminated cause then if you get something on it while cooking you don’t have to throw it out.

I loved how it came with a little educational experiment that you can use in the future. I loved the food so much and I’m so exited to be able to make them over and over again till I’m old ! Thanks Juliana banana!”

What do you need to know?

Contents of the holiday box

• The recipes are easy to follow and very visual. Ideally this would suit kids aged 10-14 unless you want to be involved to help!
  

• The laminated recipe cards were really appreciated as they needed a good cleaning after the cooking was done.
  

• You can order online to have it shipped to you, or you can pick up at one of several local businesses to save shipping costs.
  

• The container that comes with the Holiday box is perfect for storing all the laminated recipe cards and we look forward to filling it with more favourites for Juliette to keep cooking with as she learns more skills.
  

• We haven’t tried one of the online cooking classes yet, but the Holiday box includes one ( December 30 of January 30) and you can sign up for a variety of other cooking classes on their site too.
  

• You can purchase a bundle and get your kid(s) the Holiday box, Valentine’s Box and Spring box all in one bundle - your kids will be cooking for you more and more all year long!
  

• We love that Julianna Banana focuses so much on supporting local and small business.

“We support LOCAL business and give back to the community. A fundamental pillar of Julianna Banana is to support local businesses and to give back to the community. Materials in our Culinary Boxes including kitchen tools and accessories are sourced whenever possible from local vendors. Recipe cards are designed and printed in Ottawa and our Julianna Banana apron is made and printed in Canada In keeping with a mission of Julianna Banana to give back to the community, we support local food charities. A portion of proceeds from sales of Julianna Banana Culinary Boxes and Julianna Banana classes go directly to food charities.”

The Harvest box Juliette tried is no longer available but the Holiday box is!

The Julianna Banana Holiday Box contains:

Child placing raspberries into a chocolate dessert

• 5 laminated kid-friendly recipes, specially designed for the holidays (Make a holiday classic meal: Traditional Meat Pie with Flaky pastry & Cranberry Sauce, Festive Salad, Ginberbread Ornaments and an easy peasy Holiday Yule Log)

• 3 gifting recipes, which will allow your junior chef to make the perfect gifts for friends and family

• 1 glass jar plus gift tags and ribbon to complete your gifts from the kitchen

• 1 food science activity: “Emulsions!”

• 1 table setting card plus fun holiday crafts to decorate your home

• 1 quality kitchen tool locally sourced to help your junior chef prepare their meal

• 6 individual meal display cards that kids can decorate and personalize to showcase their food

• Sprinkles and piping bag to prepare your recipes and gifting items

• 1 functional kitchen storage container perfect for storing the recipes

• 1 made in Canada and locally printed Julianna Banana apron

• Access to a live, interactive Julianna Banana class where we prepare one of the recipes! (These classes are happening on December 30th or January 30th)

• The box contains kitchen tools and materials valued at over $40, not including the class!

• Crafting and learning experiences in the kitchen, providing priceless family fun time.
  
  We love this list of reasons shared on the Julianna Banana site to invest in this experience for your kid(s) this holiday season:
  
  This year, instead of heading to the toy store, give your kids the gift of:

  • An experience in the kitchen, in which your junior chefs can start down the path to loving cooking and thinking critically about the food they eat.

  • Spending time together as a family, creating meals and memories at the same time!

  • Giving back to their community.

  • Supporting local vendors and Made in Canada items.

  You can purchase the boxes or bundle on the Julianna Banana site - and if you do, make sure to share photos of your creations!

  Please note, Julianna Banana is a Kids in the Capital sponsor and we were provided the Harvest box. All thoughts and feedback are based on our personal experience with the box.