By Lizzy Kerzman | Photography: Photos by Jacy
Eleven year old Parker Hintz loves sports, school, and cooking. But we’re not just talking about cooking a frozen pizza or a box of macaroni and cheese. Parker likes to study cookbooks and try new recipes from scratch. When I went to Parker’s house to visit with him about his love of cooking he was making homemade cream puffs. (They were delicious, by the way.) Parker and I had a long and interesting conversation about cooking, including how he got started and what he enjoys about it.
How long have you been cooking?
”Since about fourth grade. I started making eggs for breakfast everyday. I started adding things to the eggs, like cottage cheese. My dad told me it was better to whisk the eggs before I put them in the pan.”
Why did you start?
“My mom and dad were training for a marathon and taught me about using food as fuel so I started making eggs for breakfast before running cross country.”
What is your favorite part about cooking?
”Obviously the eating!”
Do you dislike anything?
”Definitely the cleaning up!”
What is your favorite dish to make?
”We mostly try new things all the time. But if I had to choose, I’d pick “Crispy Mac & Cheese.”
Have you ever made anything that didn’t turn out?
“Yes. I tried a pizza crust three different times and it flopped every time. My mom and I finally decided the recipe must be wrong. We changed the recipe and it turned out much better.”
What does your family think about you cooking?
“Well my brother, Owen, loves it. My mom’s brother is a chef in California and his wife works at a bakery. It’s fun to talk to them about things I make. Mom said maybe being a good cook runs in our family.”
Have you tried new foods since you started cooking?
“I have. I made a beef pasta dish that had tomatoes and mushrooms and onions, which I didn’t like. But after I made that dish, I realized I like those things. I also made bruschetta, which is tomatoes and I really, really liked that.”
What is your favorite meal to cook? Breakfast, lunch, supper?
“I really enjoy making brunch like eggs, waffles, and hashbrowns.”
Do you like cooking or baking better?
“Cooking, because there is less waiting around to eat it.”
Click here for Parker’s recipe for Chocolate ProfiterÔles. And to see photos Chef Parker in the kitchen click here.
Lizzy Kerzman
Lizzy Kerzman is 10 years old and in the fth grade. She enjoys baking more than she likes to cook, and she really likes decorating cup- cakes and cakes. Lizzy also enjoys writing and swimming, and just like Parker, she also does not like cleaning the kitchen.