Going out for a family meal can be a good bonding exercise for families, but more often than not the food for kids isn’t usually up to scratch – fish and chips, chips and nuggets, poorly made spaghetti that no matter how well it’s been dressed up looks like partially (at least) came out of a tin…
No wonder then that research carried out by The Orchid Group unveiled today, reveals that almost 9 out of 10 parents (88%) are dissatisfied with food choices for children when eating out.? What?s more, almost two-thirds of parents (65%) admit to sneaking in food due to the poor selection of children?s food available.
In a bid to offer parents, and children, a real choice when eating out, Orchid is delighted to be joining forces with Annabel Karmel MBE. As the best-selling author on children?s food and nutrition, parents trust Annabel implicitly.? In fact, so much so, the research showed that three times as many parents rate Annabel over their own Mums when it comes to learning what to cook for their kids!
Working closely with Annabel Karmel, Orchid has developed a mouth-watering selection of children?s favourites that will provide parents with a range of tasty, nutritionally balanced meals for their children when eating out.? These creations will be first launched in 34 of Orchid?s Contemporary Carveries followed by a further 45 venues across the country in early June. Guaranteed to appeal to even the fussiest of eaters, the range will include delicious pasta dishes such as her best-selling spaghetti with hidden vegetable sauce, pasta bolognese and lasagne.? For more adventurous taste buds, there?s Thai chicken curry amongst other delights.
Annabel commented: ?In childhood, eating habits and tastes (good or bad) are formed for life, so encouraging children from a young age to eat a healthy, balanced diet is vital. I applaud the Orchid Group for giving children?s meals true consideration and providing parents with a viable alternative. Too many places offer unhealthy ?kid pleasers? or mini portions of adult meals that are not balanced for children and contain too much salt or saturated fat. All my recipes are tested on children and are sure to satisfy parents as well as keep the kids happy!?
The family dining market is one to take seriously, with parents rating the choice and quality of children?s food over and above their own, and 15% of parents say they eat out with the kids ?regularly? and a further 70% ?sometimes?.
Other interesting findings from the research included:
- While 70% of parents would prefer healthy choices for their children, 68% ranked speed of service as the most important consideration when choosing where to eat out with their family.
- 33% of parents admit their children eat chips every single time they eat out.
- 57% say they are more likely to return to venues offering children?s activities such as colouring or games.
