Cooking Merit Badge

Introduction

The Cooking merit badge is all about learning how to cook delicious and nutritious meals. Scouts will learn about food safety, meal planning, and cooking techniques. By completing this merit badge, scouts will be able to cook meals for themselves and others.

Merit Badge Requirements

1. Do the following:
1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in cooking activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
2. Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur while preparing meals and eating, including burns and scalds, cuts, choking, and allergic reactions.
3. Describe how meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, and fresh vegetables should be stored, transported, and properly prepared for cooking. Explain how to prevent cross-contamination.
2. Do the following:
1. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, give five examples for EACH of the following food groups, the recommended number of daily servings, and the recommended serving size:
1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Proteins
5. Dairy
2. Explain why you should limit your intake of oils and sugars.
3. Determine your daily level of activity and your caloric need based on your activity level. Then, based on the MyPlate food guide, discuss with your counselor an appropriate meal plan for yourself for one day.
3. Plan a menu for three full days of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) plus one dessert. Your menu should include enough to feed yourself and at least one adult, keeping in mind any special needs (such as food allergies) and how you keep your foods safe and free from cross-contamination. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals.
4. Using the menu planned in requirement 3, make a food list showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal.
5. Do the following:
1. Prepare and serve for yourself and two others, the two dinners, one lunch, and one breakfast from requirement 3. At least one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.
2. Prepare a written plan for your patrol or troop for an overnight campout. Include a menu and the duty roster showing which members of your patrol will be responsible for each meal. Be sure to consider the size of your patrol and the cooking facilities available.
3. Using the menu planned in requirement 5, make a food list showing the amount of food needed to prepare and serve each meal, and the cost for each meal. If possible, plan meals that can be cooked using the methods learned in requirement 3.
4. Share and discuss your meal plan and food list with your counselor.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Are you ready to become a master chef? Let's get started with some basic cooking skills.

First, let's talk about food safety. What are some hazards you might encounter while cooking? How can you prevent them? What should you do if someone gets injured or sick while cooking?

Now, let's move on to meal planning. What are the five food groups? How many servings of each should you have each day? Why is it important to limit your intake of oils and sugars?

Next, let's plan a menu for three days of meals. What are some things you need to consider when planning a menu? How can you make sure your meals are nutritious and delicious?

Finally, it's time to cook! What are some basic cooking techniques you should know? How can you make sure your meals are cooked safely and free from cross-contamination?

Remember, cooking is all about creativity and experimentation. Don't be afraid to try new things and have fun!

Questions

• What are some hazards you might encounter while cooking?
• What are the five food groups?
• Why is it important to limit your intake of oils and sugars?
• What are some things you need to consider when planning a menu?
• What are some basic cooking techniques you should know?

Don't forget to follow up with your merit badge counselor to complete the Cooking merit badge. Good luck and happy cooking!

Schedule

Week	Requirements
Week 1	Requirements 1a, 1b, 1c
Week 2	Requirements 2a, 2b, 2c
Week 3	Requirement 3
Week 4	Requirements 4, 5
Week 5	Requirements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d