Kids pumpkin cooking class held by a kid

A local youth is collaborating with the Early Childhood Investment Team in providing a pumpkin cooking class for other local children.

Cadence Kallenberger, 12, is teaching a pumpkin cooking class for children ages 6 and up Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church at 410 Fifth Ave.

"I want others to show others how to cook with pumpkins and especially kids like me to show them that cooking isn't hard and it is fun," Kallenberger said.

The cooking class is free and lunch will be provided, but space is limited to 15 people and pre-registration is required.

Children can register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kidsclass1 .

The deadline for registration is Thursday at midnight.

"I have only helped my little sister and cousins cook, so I am excited to help other kids," she said. "I love cooking and pumpkins, and it feels so good to know how to make things on your own. It is just like making a craft and I can share it with others."

She added that she wants kids to know that they can make a delicious meal out of a vegetable and, if the class goes well, she would like and would enjoy doing more classes.

Kallenberger, an active 4-H member, said that, each fall she grows a pumpkin patch as her 4-H gardening project.

She will also be bringing in pumpkins from her 4-H gardening project for the kids to use during the cooking class.

"Fresh pumpkin tastes a lot better than canned pumpkin," she said. "People can actually come out to the field and get a pumpkin instead of going to the store and getting them from a bucket. They can see right where they are grown."

She added that she just finished her third year of doing the pumpkin patch and hopes to continue growing them until she graduates high school, unless she goes to Montana State University-Northern and would continue it then. 

 "The hardest part has been pest and animal control because they have been eating seeds, causing them not to grow," Kallenberger said. "The best part is watching everyone enjoying the hard work that was put into it."