Food of the USA

Find out all about classic favourite foods in the USA as well as the many, varied cultural influences that make this cuisine special.

As well as learning about the history of food in the USA, there’s a load of in-depth advice for teachers and children, to ensure you have fun, safe cooking experiences in every single lesson – if you choose to, that is – there’s some non-cooking alternative activities, too! More than just recipes, the detailed instructions for each dish you’ll cook include differentiated skills, advice on working safely and detailed photos clearly showing food preparation techniques.

You might also like our USA Road Trip Topic Bundle - perfect if you're looking for a cross-curricular approach to your teaching. 

This scheme has recently been updated. If you previously purchased the scheme 'American Food' you can redownload it for free from your account area to get this updated lesson pack.

All-American Favourites

In this first lesson in the Complete Series, find out all about the diverse climates of the USA and the abundance of varied foods that grow in them. After that, take a look at some classic American favourite dishes, then cook your choice one of two all-time favourites (depending on time/skills/resources): apple pie or chocolate chip cookies!

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete newbie yourself, you’ll find everything you need to teach with confidence included in the detailed teacher’s notes and the tried and tested recipes!

View Lesson 1

Native Americans

Find out about the foods Native American tribes ate, and how they prepared and preserved them. After that, there’s a choice of activities: Either learn more about Native Americans’ use of buffalo, or develop cooking skills and select ingredients to make veggie jerky!

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete newbie yourself, you’ll find everything you need to teach with confidence included in the detailed teacher’s notes and the tried and tested recipe.

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Soul Food

Take a brief look at the history of slavery in the USA and consider differences in the foods eaten by rich and poor Americans during this period in history. After that, find out about soul food and how it is influenced by slavery and traditional foods in the Southern states. After that children may either develop a variety of cooking skills while baking cornbread, or learn more about soul food ingredients.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete newbie yourself, you’ll find everything you need to teach with confidence included in the detailed teacher’s notes and the tried and tested recipe!

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Tex Mex!

Find out a little about the history of the colonisation of 'the Americas' and the influence of Spanish and Mexican cuisine in the USA. After that there’s a choice of activities where children may either hone their cooking skills while preparing tasty fajitas, or taste a variety of spicy Tex Mex foods!

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete newbie yourself, you’ll find everything you need to teach with confidence included in the detailed teacher’s notes and the tried and tested recipe!

View Lesson 4

Special Occasions

Find out a bit more about an American obsession: fast food! Consider why it should only be eaten occasionally, then take a look at some iconic foods often eaten at special events such as fairs, major sports events and BBQ parties. After that there’s a choice of activities where children can either hone a variety of cooking skills by preparing one of three dishes, or plan a BBQ party with food and drinks!

Whether you’re an experienced cook or a complete newbie yourself, you’ll find everything you need to teach with confidence included in the detailed teacher’s notes and the tried and tested recipes!

View Lesson 5