"That's the important lesson here, not about what they eat but the fact they eat and cook and clean with you," he said.
His 19-year-old daughter Loretta was in the kitchen as a newborn. Tom believes kids should learn to cook as soon as they show interest, because it opens them up to future knowledge.
"I think certainly fractions and the sort, especially if you're following a recipe and it's written that way. Kids always say, 'How am I ever going to use fractions?' But that's exactly when you do use it," he said.
It may also enhance motor skills.
"I believe it helps their coordination and helps them to focus," said Nicole Wilson.
Nicole and Jason Wilson own Seattle's "Crush," which earned five stars from the American Academy of Hospitality Science
But their biggest critic isn't even 3 years old yet. Ferrin has already learned how to slide and season, and when he makes a mess, he cleans it up.
They believe it builds confidence and character.
"Hopefully some of that discipline will be there, but also the looseness of being able to stumble every now and again," said Jason.
"La Spiga" owner Sabrina Tinsley also advocates cooking with kids. She's got two sous chefs of her own.
Sabrina grew up watching her own mother prepare homemade meals.
"I think I learned more that way and I feel like I kind of absorbed it, became a part of me," she said.
Making dinner can double as quality time, an activity to teach kids life-long skills, in and out of the kitchen.
"I think that food is a really, really good way to bring people together and to actually enjoy a certain part of your day," said Tinsley.
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