Cooking Advice for the Next Generation

Every week on Food52, the team behind the popular home cooking site pools their answers to questions about food, cooking, life, and more.

Today, cooking advice for the next generation of home cooks.

Baby Mirabelle -- the newest addition to the Food52 family -- with dad, Michael, one of Food52's developers.

Many of us attribute most of our food memories to mom -- but weren't our fathers there, too, watching us in the kitchen, raving about our first batches of cookies, and maybe even teaching us a thing or two themselves?

This year, we're honoring fathers, both old and new, by rounding up our favorite kitchen advice -- so if you're a seasoned cook about to be a father, a father who wants to do more in the kitchen, or a child who wants to cook something amazing for Dad this year, we've got your back.

If you could give baby Mirabelle one piece of cooking advice, what would it be?

Lauren: My advice for Mirabelle is to make sure your parents share their lunch spreadsheet with you. And learn how to garden.

Christina: Try everything once. If you think you don't like it, try it again in 10 years.

Kenzi: Try everything once. If you fail, try it again tomorrow. And also, sweet, sweet Mirabelle: always eat avocados.

Bryce: Welcome sweet Mirabelle! My advice is to always have cookie dough in your freezer.

Jennifer: Never eat or buy fat-free food.

Karl: When in doubt, toss with olive oil and lemon juice, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then roast!

Stephanie: It is always an appropriate time to eat ice cream.

Lindsay: Maintain an open mind and an adventurous palate. And always sprinkle your grilled cheese sandwiches with garlic salt after buttering.

Marian: Keep an emergency stash of chocolate. And cook with your parents. And be patient.

Beatrice: Always have a spoonful of cookie dough before baking them off!

Peter: To paraphrase Julia Child (I think): "Food, like a horse, can sense fear."

Amanda Li: Learn how to cook the things your family makes you eat now. Once you get older, you'll crave them -- and it'll be on you to carry on your family's traditions.

James: Quality is more important that quantity.

Maddy: Play with your food!

Amanda: Eat like your parents do and you'll have a very fine life. Have dessert at every meal. And make sure the pasta water tastes as salty as the sea.

Kristen: The only trick to making your food taste better: remember to sneak bites as you're cooking. Adjust, repeat. The best way to learn: get in the kitchen with others, then stand back and watch (and resist grabbing the spatula).

Merrill: Food is important. But sometimes the company is even more important.

Ryan: Every vegetable is better roasted.

Brette: Steal cookies from the cookie jar.

Sarah: Eat what makes you happy, but know where your food comes from. And when entertaining, simple is usually best.

Jason: Wait a couple years before you go near the stove. It's hot and you're a baby. Also don't ever skimp on the cheese.

Help us celebrate a new mouth to feed by sharing your advice in the comments!