Dumbo resident and entrepreneur Romy Horn started Dough Re Me Kids while following her passion for food and cooking with her daughter. After discovering that many other parents in Dumbo have similar interests and a desire for children’s culinary classes in the neighborhood, she started her business on her free time while working as an attorney. She pursued her passion and dedicated her time to Dough Re Me Kids full time last summer. Their fall season starts this week, so if you’re interested in enrolling your child, do so quickly! They have two classes scheduled for the Fall; Monday September 14, 4-5PM and Thursday September 17, 4-5PM. Will consider partial session if space is available. Fall Apple Workshop – Friday September 18, 6-8 (ages 6 and up). Parents can go out for dinner while the children make their own meal. Fall Apple Workshop – Mommy or Daddy and Me – September 30, 6-7:15, timed so that working parents can participate in a cooking lesson with their child.

What is Dough Re Me Kids?
We teach kids ages 3-14, how to cook for themselves in a fun environment that includes lessons in math, science, health, etiquette and cooperation using organic and greenmarket ingredients. It is never too early to get children comfortable with the ingredients they will be exposed to for the rest of their lives. Classes are held Monday and Thursday 4-5pm. But as a working mom, I was never really able to attend some of the mommy and me classes offered, so we’re offering a couple of options for other working parents (6-7:15pm, Wed 9/30 where parents and kids can do a workshop together – a great way to socialize with neighbors and not have to cook; and also a 6-8pm class this Friday 9/18 for ages 6 and up, where parents can drop their kids off go out for dinner on their own and pick up their kids when they’re done – a great night out without the need for a sitter).

Does a 3 year-old child really learn to cook?
Yes, they actually learn a great deal from repetition and hands-on activity. Each class is an hour and the goal is to keep them interested and engaged the entire time. This requires recipes that are age appropriate. By the end of the session techniques are learned, for example: they can crack an entire dozen of eggs without getting shells in them and are able to knead their own dough. They even know difference between parsley and basil.

What happens if a child doesn’t like a variety of foods?
The group setting relaxes the kids so they will try foods that their classmates try. No one is forced to eat, but they are always encouraged to have a taste. And they do, quite often with excellent results. When they are able to add a new food to their list of “acceptable” dishes, they are so proud of themselves. It’s so amazing to be a part of their growth.

What about Dumbo makes it beneficial to have a business here?
More families are coming to Dumbo and the number of children has steadily increased since we moved here. As a Dumbo parent, I know how grateful I am when new options for my child open up so close to home. I wanted to be able to give parents another choice. And since Dumbo is located in a relatively small geographic area, when you get to know other families in a comfortable and easy social setting (it doesn’t get any more social than eating and cooking) you contribute even more so to the fabric of the neighborhood that already has a small town feel.

Tell us about yourself.
After many years of working as an attorney, I am so grateful to be engaged in my true passion – cooking. I have been cooking since the age of 7 and learned the most valuable lessons from my own (Armenian) and my husband’s (Italian) family – trying new things has opened up a world of experience and interests for me. I wanted to do the same for my daughter and other children. And I know how difficult it is to get children to try new foods (figuring out how to make new foods attractive is a full time job). I began teaching when my daughter expressed an interest in cooking and have wanted to open a cooking business ever since. My passion turned out to be a fun way to get children interested in trying and eating healthy foods.

What advice would you give to those starting businesses in Dumbo?
Two things I have learned are that (1) nothing happens overnight and (2) you must have a website. I had mine created by a local mom and web designer, Kathleen Gates, which looks amazing. The Dumbo community has a goldmine of talented people and if you are looking for assistance with any aspect of starting a business, use one of them. As a future business owner, it’s essential to support the community you will be part of as much as possible.

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For more information, please contact romy@doughremekids.com.
doughremekids.com.