03/04/2026
Most “picky eaters” don’t need convincing, they need a different environment.
A space where they can cook alongside their peers and parents.
Where they can learn, experiment, and explore food — without parents feeling the pressure of getting a full meal on the table.
Over the past few months, we’ve been testing this approach with Hackney Council through family cooking sessions in local schools.
Last Friday, we wrapped our final course…
and the shift has been impossible to ignore.
Children who once said they “don’t like vegetables” are now:
✨ Cooking them
✨ Tasting them
✨ Asking to make them again at home
Families told us they’re now:
• Cooking together more often
• Trying new ingredients
• Wasting less food
• Feeling more confident in the kitchen
One young participant put it best:
“At the cooking club, we use vegetables that don’t look very appetising at first. But once you try the meals, they taste amazing — and you wonder why you ever doubted them.”
A parent shared:
“Before, my daughter didn’t help me cook much… now she helps a lot. I’ve learned simple ways to cook delicious food — it saves me time and energy.”
A headteacher told us:
“With rising childhood obesity, we want families to eat fresh, healthy food. This course builds community spirit, promotes healthy eating, and benefits both children and adults.”
And from a food educator:
“It’s been amazing to see children trying things they would never try in the lunch hall. It’s given us the confidence to bring more cooking into schools with families.”
Because food isn’t just fuel.
It’s a life skill.
A confidence builder.
A way for families to connect.
Huge thanks to Hackney Council, the schools, and the families who trusted us to try something different 💛
