Chef Junior Authors Share How Kids Can Set Ambitious Goals

It’s still surprising to me that my 15-year-old son and his friends are published authors.

I was honored to interview them for a Healthy Parenting Connector episode. After hearing their five TV appearances and three podcast interviews, I’m amazed at how poised and articulate they are.

Today we want to share two main points:

1. Why the cookbook Chef Junior is unique and meets an important need.
2. How to inspire your children to set ambitious goals and believe they can achieve more than expected.

Can’t see the video? Watch “Kids Can Achieve Big Goals” on YouTube.

Some days I question my parenting, but I keep trying. I believe that parents who are intentional and keep improving will eventually see the payoff as their children grow and develop.

I’m as proud of Paul for becoming a published author as I am of his 11-year-old sister Leah, who cuts melons and pineapple almost every day for her brothers and recently started a YouTube channel. I’m proud of my 8-year-old who rushes to comfort anyone who gets hurt, and my 5-year-old who eagerly tries new foods at dinner and always brightens our day.

Take a moment to think about each of your children and their unique gifts. Then consider getting the new cookbook for kids, Chef Junior, and the extras the authors created to help families use the book efficiently—meal plans, shopping lists, allergy guides, videos, and more.

Goal Setting for Kids — Video Time Stamps

• 0:11: Today’s guests are kids—my son Paul and his friends Anthony, Katie, and Abigail.
• 0:52: We begin with the fun part—how the kids reacted when they saw their book on Amazon and realized they were published authors. They began this project four years ago.
• 3:45: Chef Junior fills a real need. Many children’s cookbooks and shows focus on sweets or processed foods. The recipes in Chef Junior use whole-food ingredients. Most are gluten-free and many avoid other common allergens.
• 6:31: The book includes basic cooking instruction. Recipes are labeled by skill level so more experienced kids can challenge themselves.
• 7:28: Each of the five authors brings a different cooking style, giving the book a wide variety of recipes.

BIG Goal Setting for Kids

• 8:31: The authors were 8–11 years old when they first proposed Chef Junior.
• 9:04: The kids share behind-the-scenes experiences from publishing, including the inevitable bumps along the way.
• 11:52: They worked hard to refine their recipes and learned lessons that apply beyond the kitchen.

• 13:33: After receiving feedback, the kids revised recipes and clarified instructions. They discuss how it felt to get negative comments and how they responded.
• 15:00: The book was originally planned to include 80 recipes, but a last-minute change altered those plans.
• 17:34: The authors recount how they first met and how the idea for a cookbook developed.

Building Confidence and Creativity in Kids

• 21:10: At Kids Cook Real Food™ we emphasize building confidence. Initially parents helped assemble the proposal; the kids are now taking the lead—doing interviews, editing videos, promoting the book, and creating bonuses.
• 22:43: Abby describes how to get creative in the kitchen and offers tips for developing original recipes.
• 24:00: Paul tells the story of cooking breakfast together with friends—the moment the idea for the cookbook first took shape.

Resources for Cooking and Goal Setting for Kids

• Buy the book Chef Junior.
• Explore teaching resources to help your kids learn to cook.
• Check recommendations for knives that are suitable for children.
• Find practical advice on goal setting with kids.