The kitchen provides a wonderful opportunity for learning. A child can see first hand how to divide, add fractions, and cut something in half. Science in the kitchen is always a highlight of a homeschool day. The kitchen often serves as a lab for homeschoolers. Yet, there are times a kitchen needs to be a kitchen. Sometimes cooking for the sake of learning to cook is valuable.
As parents it is our duty to teach our children life skills. One such life skill is cooking, safety in the kitchen, and safe food handling and food prep. Often these skills are learned by simple observation. My oldest learned to cook by watching me and my husband prepare meals. When she was still little she helped out to the best of her ability. By the time she was 10, she could prepare dinner. My son makes amazing pancakes. He also helps me prepare the Thanksgiving turkey every year. My small kids will help make pizza, meatballs, salads, breakfast, etc. Each get kitchen experience from the time they can sprinkle on the cheese.
Teaching kitchen skills does not have to be formal. You can teach all the safety and food prep aspects of cooking by simply allowing your child in the kitchen while you cook. Explain why you wash chicken or clean the countertops if meat hits it. Tell your child about cross contamination as you switch from one knife and cutting board to another for different foods. Show your child how you defrost meat safely. Make it a habit to wash hands with them as needed. There need not be tests or long drawn out lessons. This is the time to mentor your child in an activity as opposed to teaching a subject. Expect messes and random egg shells in your food but hands on is the best way to teach this subject.
Eventually the time together will be a blessing to both of you. Cooking encourages creativity and warm feelings of tradition. Sharing that with your child is worth a few egg shells in your breakfast.