Functional Food Joy
Nutrition is important. So is food joy.
No matter if you are serving children in a school or elderly in a retirement home, the demand for nutritious food is top priority. But we must not forget the food joy.
The best food is the one that’s eaten
We need to make sure food is more than body fuel. By making it a playful, colourful and flavourful experience you will end up with more food in the bellies and less food in the bins, which of course is more sustainable in every aspect.
Good meals for kids and kitchen staff
All the inspiration on this page is served with large-scale cooking challenges in mind. Every recipe includes a full list of nutrition and allergens. The solutions are customised to make workdays run smoothly and guests pleasantly surprised by the meals you are serving.
Participation is powerful
By somehow letting the kids influence what’s put on the table, the cooking hit rate will increase, since increased participation leads to more commitment. Simple actions like wish weeks or naming the dishes on the menu can be powerful. Student councils or specific food councils could be the perfect forums for initiatives like these.
Tickle their senses to feed their bellies
Food recipesFamiliar + unknown = success
Many schoolkids are hesitant to try unfamiliar dishes. And honestly, so are most adults, even though we know those dishes could be sensational experiences. We as humans like to stick to what we know. To overcome this obstacle and get kids to try new stuff, one part familiar combined with one part unknown is usually a recipe for success.
Make the seasoning your guidance
Using familiar flavours is a great way to introduce new food. So, when the kids are craving for tacos, but you have your reasons for not serving tacos every Friday, use the beloved spices to make a creamy taco bake, a vegetarian taco stew or a rich taco soup. Blends like the Taco Original Spice Mix can be used for hundreds of dishes – and they will taste great every time.
Get the naming right
Also keep in mind to practice the same approach when naming your dishes. Combine what’s new with words that are familiar to the children. A “Creamy Taco Bake” will probably be a bigger hit than a “Mexican Farmer’s Bake” for example.
Business tips
Not only do the flavours of the world help you to create tasty meals, social experiences and healthy attitudes to food. They can also be highlighted to spark interest and start conversations about everyday school subjects – from chemistry to cultural and societal issues. Finding these synergies and incorporating the pedagogical aspect into the meal will elevate it even further. Another positive effect will be a tighter connection between the kitchen staff and the teaching staff at your school.
Kids are curious. They want to know the difference between black and white pepper, what Garam Masala literally means and how many tastings it takes to turn a coriander hater into a coriander lover. By serving this kind trivia we can trigger food interest.
You’ve probably heard it before: Food is experienced with all the senses. The look is important and vibrant colours have shown to make kids more interested in a specific dish. Products like veggie tortillas made with beets or a good old curry will do the job.
Try to offer sample spoons
By offering samples before a new dish is put on the plate, trying it will be less of an obstacle. It’s also a way to avoid waste. One basket of clean teaspoons and one for used ones could be a good solution.
Taste is important. Scent is more important.
About 90% of the flavours we feel are technically scent experiences. As we get older our sense of smell may fade. But it can still be trained and get better. That’s why you should use a lot of spices that add flavour and scent to your food – especially when cooking for elders.
Spice it up for the elders
All recipesThe benefits of good meals
Good meals are key to healthy people. In addition to the physical benefits, a good meal contributes with something enjoyable. It’s a social moment where security is created and relationships are built.