Food with Mark Bittman David Nayfeld and Aliza Sokolow: Dad, What’s for Dinner?
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Dec 17, 2025 David Nayfeld, a professional chef and author of "Dad, What's for Dinner?", and Aliza Sokolow, an advocate for children's nutrition, delve into the joys and challenges of cooking for kids. They discuss practical ways to engage children in the kitchen and the concept of parents as 'salespeople' for healthy foods. From the absurdity of fries counting as vegetables to the importance of starting early with fresh produce, their insights could transform family meals. David also shares how cooking with his daughter inspired his book.
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Cooking Together Snapped It Into Focus
- David describes the first night his daughter slept over and how cooking together snapped something into focus for him.
- He put her in a toddler tower, taught safety, and soon she was stirring scrambled eggs herself.
Set A Firm Dinner Boundary
- Tell your kids dinner is dinner and avoid making multiple special meals.
- If they refuse, wait: the meal stays and gets colder so they learn to eat what's served.
Time Pressure Created Meaningful Rituals
- The emotional urgency of limited custody time pushed David to prioritize meaningful cooking moments.
- That pressure turned routine meals into opportunities for connection and learning in the kitchen.