Mother and daughter Glenda and Claire Gourley have cooked up an innovative, nationwide school holiday programme they'll be running from their home in rural Te Puna, near Tauranga.
The social media-based "It's My Turn To Cook Tonight Bosch School Holiday Programme" aims to give teens and younger children valuable life skills and parents a home-cooked meal at the end of the working day.
It's a three-part plan for children, parents and teens, says Glenda.
"Children are entertained and taught cooking skills by inspiring student role models. Student tutors create their own employment, gain leadership and food skills while they are being challenged and motivated, or parents stuck for ideas during the holidays can participate with their own kids, using Claire as an inspiring teen to teach cooking skills."
The duo, who have collaborated on books and social media sites already, will run the programme, via the internet, from their home.
"If you're a student, you're gainfully employed and are out there getting skills and work experience," says Claire. "If you're a kid, you get to cook and have fun hanging out with older kids or get to learn something really meaningful and fun with mum or dad.
"And for those parents who employ tutors, the idea is that they get to come home to a clean kitchen and dinner cooked."
The programme is based on Claire's award-winning cookbook for teens called Who's Cooking Tonight? and came about after approaches to run a local school holiday cooking programme.
"We figured we could do something a bit bigger and reach more young people," says Glenda.
Added Claire: "It is widely known that children are inspired by student role models, so we are calling on all students out there who have an interest in food and want to gain some leadership skills to join the Bosch School Holiday Programme."
For students, the first task is to find parents who will employ them to look after their children.
"A lot of parents need their children looked after in the holidays and there are lots of students that want to work during school or university break - basically we help put the two together and encourage the student to 'cook yourself some work'.
"Alternatively, parents can find a student - it could be family friend, a neighbour or a relative, but all that's required is they are responsible, reliable, have an interest in cooking and like working with children. Parents make the final call that they are happy that the student has the skills to look after their children.
"Parents are also welcome to be the tutor themselves and use all the resources we have developed."
In a novel approach, the programme uses the internet to connect the students and younger children each day and allow them to interact through Claire's website and other social media channels.
Each morning, participants will go online and watch Claire's daily video where they can find out what is happening with other kids around the country, learn some foodie or nutrition tips, get help with what they are cooking and participate in the daily challenges. Later in the day, they can share their culinary creations on Facebook and YouTube and enter competitions.
The budding cooks will get a copy of Claire's cookbook, online support and the chance to win daily prizes. Parents will receive a copy of Glenda's latest book, Life Love Food Kids, which is full of strategies and practical tips on how to bring up food-savvy kids. Parents and students work together to sort out menus, with parents supplying the ingredients for the week so their kids can learn to cook.
"You don't have to be able to cook to take part," says Claire. "We don't do complicated. We do simple, easy and delicious. It helps if you are interested in food, but you do not have to be a chef in the making.
"Our instructions are clear and straightforward. Anything that might seem a bit tricky, we have made a You Tube [clip] to help you and we will be online during the week ready and waiting to answer any questions if you get stuck. No question is too silly to ask - except the one you are too embarrassed to ask. Together we can sort out most things."
Sarah Alexander, Bosch's products and communications manager, says the company jumped at the chance to support the programme.
"The Bosch School Holiday Programme will show children that cooking is actually fun and not a chore," she said.
"It will also encourage kids to make healthy food choices and enjoy the positive experience of cooking a delicious meal for their family."
The first five-day It's My Turn To Cook Tonight Bosch School Holiday Programme will run from April 16-20.
Kids can go to www.itsmyturntocooktonight.com for more information and register now.
There is also a parents' site where you can also register: www.FoodSavvyKids.com
The first 50 registrations will be free. After that, there will be a $45 registration fee for hard-copy books or $25 for eBooks.