Sunday 4 March 2012

I Slowly Became The Scullery Maid as one of my kids became a Red Seal Chef, I

After about the sixth child, I settled for the old tried and true meals like roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, chicken stir fry and rice, homemade chicken soup, spaghetti, Shepard's pie, pork chops and baked potato, omelet. Good, homemade, from scratch meals but boring. Homemade pickles were the only garnish.
 Mara was a natural in the kitchen from the time she was small. As a preschooler, she always begged to help stir, roll , cut or decorate.  In fact, Mara had an inborn confidence in her abilities that intimidated her grandmother. She was only about nine watching her grandmother make a dessert with a frown on her face.,  " Grandma, that is not the way we do it." Meaning, our method was the best method.

 The first time that Mara made pastry, from scratch, I  gave her directions as I peeled the apples and balanced Anthony on my shoulder at the same time. Her pastry was flakier than mine! It was almost unbelievable; she was eleven years old!

Once Mara started culinary school, she loved to take over the kitchen and I was happy to be the scullery maid when she did.  At twenty- one, she won a young chefs contest directed in French , against two French speaking, Cordon Bleu trained chefs who were twenty- five and twenty-six, in their own kitchen!

And what did Mara do to relax on her days  from culinary school or from the restaurant? Cook and Bake. She had discovered her passion at an early age because her talents were drawn out and developed within a family who treated children's contributions  with respect and gratitude. Although, God knows, I was often too scattered to always express thankfulness, my kids knew that they were important.

 I think that is why simpler civilisations have less problems with teenagers;  they take their place as adults in their mid to late teens. Our culture leaves teenagers in limbo, bored, listless and often angry.  Teens seem to thrive when they are given a chance  to contribute to the family or to learn practical, real life skills. Anything from how to fix  cars,  to cook, clean and organize a home or take care of finances, all these skills prepare teens for the adult world.

University bound kids don't  often get a chance to learn any of the trades in high school.  However, Mari Montessori encouraged teenagers  to run all aspects of a farm and the household as well as study. Just as she let little children hammer nails, sweep or pour hot tea into china cups, Mari believed that practical life skills were as important as intellectual studies  in forming well rounded, mature, intelligent adults.

What do you think? Should we bring back Home Ec and Shop for both boys and girls in the schools?

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