VISTA — How is making music like baking a cake? Nearly 200 parents and children attended the San Diego Symphony’s Cooking Up Music show April 12 at the Avo Theater to find out.

With the aid of character Chef Pierre, who set up a complete cooking show on stage, Assistant Conductor Philip Mann directed a 15-person orchestra detachment through selections by Strauss, Bach, Mozart and Grieg.

Before each piece, Mann and Chef Pierre showed how cooking can teach children about the “ingredients” of music — beat, rhythm, form and melody.

A group of brave children was called to the stage to stir, mix and pour a “musical cake” with the chef as the symphony played its finale, something actor Paul Maley, who plays Chef Pierre, always gets a kick out of.

“I love working with kids. It’s a lot of fun to see them being exposed to all this great classical music. The live performance … it’s interactive, something they can participate in.”

This was the first Avo Theater performance for the San Diego Symphony, which usually has a concert every summer at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.

“We’re always wanting to expand outreach into the community. Coming out here to Vista is a great way to do that,” said Adrienne Valencia, director of education and outreach for the symphony.

“This year, because of the time restrictions on the amphitheater (due to remodeling), we weren’t able to work out a deal with the symphony. ... The symphony suggested their kids’ program,” said Tom Streeter, president elect of the Sunrise Vista Kiwanis. The Kiwanis sponsored the event and will be splitting the proceeds with the Avo.

“The money is going to be put back in the community to help our youth with the development of the arts,” Streeter said. “This may be accomplished through scholarships ... it could be used to help fund musical instruments, music lessons, acting lessons. Anything that has to do with the arts.”

The concert marked a change in focus for the Avo, which wants to target a younger audience, in addition to the loyal older clientele who frequent the winter plays.

The strategy seems to have worked for Karen Moote, whose daughter, Jayden, took the stage with Chef Pierre.

“This was great!” Karen Moote said. “I’ve never come here before and I live (nearby). This is definitely going to make me come out here more often.”