Some families bond over a board game. Hunter and I talk about good sauce, rich cheesecake, or how to cook a really good steak. I wouldn’t have it any other way. In our kitchen, food brings us close. Each dish teaches us something new. And with luck, a treat comes at the end.
My son Hunter discovered his love of cooking at just five years old. What began as a childhood interest has grown into a real love of food and how it works. He wants to know it all: what goes into a dish, how to cook it, how to plate it and when it is ready to share.
And yes, he dreams big. While some young cooks are content to assemble a sandwich, Hunter has set his sights on Wagyu steak and an impressive tomahawk. I admire a child who dreams big, even when the shopping list does too.
Old skills meet new tools
I love the timeless side of cooking. Good ingredients, patience and learning by doing never go out of fashion. Nor does the joy of making a meal from scratch. These are the skills I want Hunter to learn, whether we are making a great steak or a salad that might just steal the show.
But I also love what new kitchen tools can do. That is why Thermomix by Vorwerk now has a place in our cooking story. It gives us new ways to make sauces, cake mixes, sweets and family favourites.
The Thermomix can weigh, mix and guide home cooks through each step in a recipe. Its Cookidoo recipe site also gives us fresh ideas to try. These smart tools are handy, but they can’t replace taste, touch, or good timing. A machine can guide the steps. It cannot teach you to love the taste.
One rule comes first: stay safe. Vorwerk says children must not operate the Thermomix, even with an adult close by. So I use the machine and follow its safety guide. Hunter can help plan dishes, choose what goes in them and learn safe tasks away from heat and sharp blades. I love a keen young chef. I do not love a trip to the first-aid kit.
Out in the wild with Cargo Crew Junior Master Chef
From steak to cheesecake
Hunter’s tastes run from savoury to sweet. His signature dishes include a show-stopping Wagyu tomahawk steak and a fresh burrata and tomato vinaigrette salad. Then comes the sweet side: pistachio cheesecake, almond cheesecake, and chocolate brownies.
It is quite a menu. No one could accuse him of aiming low, and I love him for it.
Each dish has its own lesson. With steak, we talk about heat and rest time. With salad dressing, it is all about getting the balance right. A good cheesecake needs the right amounts and a little patience. And brownies? They make a very good case for keeping an eye on the clock.
Best of all, Hunter is learning that food need not be perfect to bring joy. Good cooking takes practice. You ask, you try, you tweak. Young cooks build skill by watching, asking, and learning. They do not have to serve a fine-dining feast every time.
In the food and hotel world, we often see the end result: a fine plate, a smart uniform and a chef who makes it all look easy. But that love of food starts somewhere. For Hunter, it began at home. That is why I value these small lessons as much as any grand dish.
An apron, and one big dream
We have had some kind of support beyond our own kitchen, too. Cargo Crew supplies Hunter’s apron. The brand has also featured him in its Crews in the Wild Instagram posts. To me, it is a lovely nod to his love of food and his dream of being a chef.
Hunter has another ambition waiting further down the road: he dreams of appearing on Junior MasterChef Australia one day. It is a future dream, not a claim that he’s been cast on the show. For now, he has more food to try, more skills to learn and many meals still to cook.
As his mum, I am proud that he wants to learn. I hope he keeps the spark that began at five. I hope he keeps trying new things, asking for tips and taking them on board. Those habits will help him in the kitchen and in life.
For me, the best part isn’t the machine, the apron, or even the food. Mind you, I will never say no to cheesecake. It is our time together. Old cooking skills give us strong roots. New tools help us try fresh ideas. Hunter is finding his own path through both.
And I get a front-row seat, with a fork.
Follow our cooking journey on Instagram: @pjchef_hunter and @official_veralee.
