Fun ways to get cooking

Without his grandmother and mother taking the time to teach him how to cook, he says that he wouldn't have made it to where he is today. Mamita Amada and Mamita, as Garces calls them, inspired him to go to culinary school. Today, he is the executive chef and owner of six restaurants in Philadelphia and Chicago, and he makes his debut in Kitchen Stadium this Sunday as the newest Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America."

Now Garces has the opportunity to inspire and teach his two children, Olivia, 7, and Andres, 3. The chef typically spends most evenings in his restaurants, so he has made it a point to make breakfast with his kids every morning that he's home. From these breakfasts, Andres has developed a love of making French toast. But Olivia is a fan of pizza nights, when the family of four gathers to make individual pizzas.

USA WEEKEND recently spoke with Garces, who shared some of his ideas on how to get kids involved in the kitchen.

With his kids, Iron Chef Jose Garces tries to make cooking creative and interactive.

Play a game.

"If your kids love competition, turn cooking into a fun experience by making it a game. Pick an ingredient and see who can come up with the best dish. Make it interactive and fun, and let their creativity flow."

Take advantage of technology.

"There are so many new shows and games that can pique kids' interest in food and cooking. A new Wii game, "Cook or Be Cooked," simulates cooking whole meals and really can teach the basics without the hazards of a real kitchen. Also, watching a cooking show and then trying to make the dishes can be a great learning experience for everyone. But don't abuse tech?nology and media -- you don't want them to become a substitute for actual hands-on learning."

Aim to inspire.

"It's astounding how many fresh ingredients are available in today's supermarket. From herbs and produce to organic and locally grown foods, all of these things can spice up cooking and make it exciting. Try to pick out something new, or if you previously bought the frozen version, try it fresh. Try to learn when items are in season and at their peak because this will produce the best flavors. If your children see you excited about trying new foods and cooking techniques, then you'll inspire them."

Go shopping together.

"As parents, sometimes we just want to go in and get the shopping done quickly. Instead, try to make your grocery shopping with your kids a priority at least once in a while. Farmers markets are also great places to learn more about food. Try to make it a weekly or biweekly family activity. What you are eating and what you are feeding your children is important for your family's overall health."

Strike a deal.

"Everyone is busy, and sometimes it's easy to just make a quick macaroni and cheese. But every kid needs to eat some vegetables and to try new foods. In my house, I struck a deal with Olivia that she has to try one new vegetable a week. I know that she probably won't like raw carrots, so we start with glazed carrots, and we make them together. Eventually, she'll hopefully try them raw or in a salad because she enjoyed them before. This is a great way to connect with your kids and teach small lessons about nutrition."