Kids in the kitchen

Posted: 23 December 2009 by Metricon Homes

Tags: benchtops, children

Any parent with a small interest in current affairs will be versed in the debate over child nutrition. On one side we are frightened about childhood obesity and its associated health problems, while at the other end we want to protect our precious kids slipping into an eating disorder with its negative consequences for their mental and physical health.

Throw into the mix the growing concerns about our food and where it comes from and it is no wonder parents these days are completely confused. Clearly we could all benefit from an increasing interest in food preparation. Thanks to the popularity of cooking shows such as Master Chef, it appears to be a child-lead revolution.

Cooking classes and cookbooks for children are springing up all over the place, while increasingly children are asking their parents about their food and how it is prepared. Bringing the family into the foodie fold is not so difficult when a few design issues have been considered.

Metricon’s Interior Designer – Jacinta – says the most obvious choice for families is a wide island benchtop that provides working space for all family members to be involved during cooking times.

Hotplates with their associated dangers might be better positioned against the wall, leaving space for a sink or a simple, large working space.

“It is about making access easier. Putting in very high cabinets, to which even adults need a stool to reach, can be problematic,” Jacinta suggests.

Whilst stone and stone aggregates have become popular benchtop choices in recent years, Jacinta says families would do well to look at some old, hardwearing features.

“Modern laminates are the most serviceable and you would not know the difference between laminate and real stone these days,” offered Jacinta.

Whether they are doing their homework or helping prepare a meal, Jacinta suggests it is about keeping everyone involved.

“If you want to encourage children, don’t be fussed about the mess. Ensure you have rubbish bins and chopping boards close by as this will help reduce mess. For those who don’t know where to start the easiest option is to sit down with the basic family cookbook and ask the children to choose something they would like to make.

Having children prepare their own breakfast or lunch not only offers them some form of responsibility, but also provides them a good association with food,” concluded Jacinta.