Parents share tips to get more Kiwi kids in the kitchen

10 June 2013
For immediate release

Parents share tips to get more Kiwi kids in the kitchen

•          Parents agree – we are our children’s greatest influence when it comes to cooking
•          A third of Kiwi kids are cooking a meal once a week or more, but around a quarter never do
•          Top tips on getting your kids in the kitchen from Kiwi parents.

Parents agree – the benefits of getting children into cooking are too great to be put off by the mess, our lack of time or disinterested kids.

A survey* run in conjunction with MAGGI Kitchen Showdown, an annual cooking competition for intermediate students, has revealed parents’ efforts to inspire the next generation of home cooks are having a good impact, but there is still some way to go in getting more NZ kids in the kitchen.

Around one-third (29%) of parents with children aged 15 and under identified their kids to be cooking a meal at least once a week. Kids are also helping meal preparations by setting the dinner table (67%) and helping with shopping (40%) on a weekly basis.

However, this leaves more than two-thirds identified as only venturing into the kitchen occasionally, fortnightly or less, including around one quarter (24%) of parents reporting their children never cook a meal.

Richard Brogan, Culinary Innovations Manager and MAGGI Kitchen Showdown judge says parents were united in seeing themselves as the crucial ingredient in getting their kids to cook, and had great tips to share.
“Loud and clear, parents told us the key is to start them young. It’s never too early to teach our children how to cook, and a little bit of mess and time now will set your child on a healthy path to create life-long habits,” says Richard.

“Starting with easy recipes that children like and involving friends in the learning process are some of the ways to help cooking to be seen as fun and not a chore.”

With cooking competitions like that of MAGGI Kitchen Showdown already a big part of prime time television and a hit with families, Richard thinks it is a perfect opportunity to engage with younger generations and give them a platform for involvement.

“The increasing popularity of cooking competitions and the rising level of nutritional awareness provides a great opportunity for us to engage kids in conversations around meal preparation and food choices in a fun way.”

Parents surveyed were asked to share their top tips for getting their kids to cook:

Start ‘em young—according to parents surveyed, the average age that their kids began to help with the cooking was 6, but some started their wee ones helping as soon as they were old enough to hold a spoon! Give them little tasks to do as young as possible, and increase their responsibilities as they grow.

Make it easy & fun—let them lick the spoon, crack the eggs and get first pick of the final product. It’s the little things that matter!

Make it special—it’s as much about the quality time and experience of creating something together as it is about the finished goods.

Make it their meal—let them choose the menu and ingredients, and teach them to make their favourite dishes.

Make it social—invite their friends over and have them be involved, or get them to make something yummy they can take to school to share.

About MAGGI Kitchen Showdown

94 teams consisting of year 7 and 8 students entered the fourth annual MAGGI  Kitchen Showdown this year and the 36 regional finalists have just been announced. Teams will be challenged to learn more about cooking and nutrition as they compete to make a well balanced meal suitable for a family of four. Teams will be judged on a variety of components, from nutritional value to team work, to taste and technique and will have the chance to win the grand prize of $5000 for their school, or one of two runner up prizes of $1000.

Regional finals will be held in Auckland, Petone and Christchurch at the end of June, to be followed by the grand final held in August in Christchurch. These will air on The Erin Simpson Show throughout August. For more information about the competition visit  www.maggi.co.nz/

*In conjunction with MAGGI Kitchen Showdown, 235 parents of children under the age of 15 were surveyed to find out the cooking and baking habits of NZ kids.

ENDS

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