Parent-child cooking workshop checklist

A parent-child cooking workshop needs more than recipes and a room. You have to match registrations with dietary requirements, prepare ingredients for shared workstations and make the kitchen safe for different ages. This checklist puts the work in a useful order, from invitations and shopping to the welcome briefing. It also covers details that are easy to miss, such as name badges, chilled ingredients, allergy labels, timers and enough power for portable cooktops.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Send invitations
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Update participant list
Finalize recipes
2 people
Note allergens per recipe
Set up cooking stations
2 people
Confirm reservation
Do the shopping
2 people
Check groceries
2 people
Chill fresh ingredients
Confirm participants
Portion ingredients
3 people
Mark allergenic ingredients
2 people
Prepare dough
2 people
Prepare dessert
2 people
Set out coffee and tea
Set up tables
3 people
Set up chairs
2 people
Set up cooking stations
4 people
Set out tableware and cutlery
2 people
Set out name badges
Conduct a safety check
2 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Welcome and give instructions
2 people
Guide handwashing
3 people
Prepare pizzas
6 people
Refill drinks
Prepare salad
4 people
Operate the ovens
3 people
Set the tables
3 people
Serve pizza and salad
4 people
Bake dessert
2 people
Serve dessert
3 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Say goodbye to participants
2 people

Aftercare

Pack leftover food
2 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean work surfaces
3 people
Sort and dispose of waste
2 people
Put furniture back
3 people
Clean kitchen equipment
2 people
Count stock and materials
Return borrowed materials
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Serving buffetsqty 2
Coat rack
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 45
Dessert bowlsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Drinking glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 12
Paring knivesqty 12
Kids' knivesqty 12
Vegetable peelersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 8
Measuring spoonsqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Baking traysqty 8
Saucepanqty 6
Wooden spoonsqty 12
Whiskqty 8
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Oven mittsqty 8
Apronsqty 40

Equipment

Portable cooktopsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 8
Kitchen timersqty 8
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 40
Menusqty 8

Cleaning

Dish racksqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Scouring spongesqty 12

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Close registrations early enough to review every dietary requirement and record allergens against each recipe. Use the final participant list to decide how many portions and workstations you need.
Finish the recipes before shopping, then check every grocery delivery against the recipes and allergy notes. Chill fresh ingredients as soon as they arrive and portion ingredients before families begin cooking.
Set up one clearly defined cooking station per working group, with a cutting board, suitable knife, measuring tools, mixing bowl and timer within reach. Keep kids’ knives and adult knives visibly separate.
Test portable cooktops, extension cords and power strips before participants arrive. Keep cords away from walkways, check oven mitts and complete the safety check before setting out ingredients.
Leave at least 30 minutes before the start for tables, chairs, aprons, name badges, tableware, coffee and tea. Put waste bins where families can reach them without crossing active cooking areas.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a parent-child cooking workshop?: Send invitations at least 3 to 4 weeks before the workshop and set a registration deadline about 7 days before it. That gives you time to confirm participants, review dietary requirements and shop accurately.
How many cooking stations do I need for a parent-child workshop?: Plan one cooking station for each small working group, ideally with 2 to 4 people sharing it. Finalise the number after registrations close so every group has enough workspace and equipment.
When should I collect allergies and dietary requirements?: Ask for them during registration, then verify the information 5 to 7 days before the workshop. Mark allergenic ingredients on recipes and portions before families enter the cooking area.
When should ingredients be prepared for a cooking workshop?: Buy and check the groceries 1 to 2 days beforehand, chill fresh ingredients promptly and portion them on the day of the workshop. Prepare dough and dessert early enough that they do not compete with participant cooking time.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.