Honey
Research out today reveals that a generation of 'cotton wool kids' are in
danger of growing up unable to prepare a simple meal. Despite recognising
the role mum had on their own cooking, British parents are closing the
kitchen door and not passing down crucial culinary skills.
Far from expecting regular help, only one in eight parents (12%) insist
their kids roll up their sleeves and help with the cooking in the kitchen
once a week, according to a survey by The Honey Association, to mark the
11th annual National Honey Week.
While nearly two thirds (63%) said their mum had the biggest influence on
their cooking abilities as a child, over half (52%) of busy parents prefer
to just get on with preparing meals and clearing up themselves, rather than
encouraging younger members of the household to help.
Safety concerns are also a factor with one in five parents who don't expect
daily help (19%) worrying that children will hurt themselves if they are
allowed to join them in the kitchen.
Even when kids are out of school, eight out of ten parents (87%) don't
expect younger members of the household to help in the kitchen on special
occasions such as Mother's Day or bank holiday weekends.
Lesley Waters, celebrity chef and mother of two comments: "Clearly parents
are doing their best but we're at risk of bringing up a generation of young
adults who are unable to rustle up a simple meal.
"It is so important to teach kids essential culinary skills, and as part of
this year's National Honey Week, I'm encouraging families to get together
and have fun cooking simple honey inspired recipes this bank holiday
weekend. I'm a huge fan of using honey in my own recipes as it's such a
wonderfully versatile ingredient and a great way to get kids started in the
kitchen."
David Bondi, chairman of the Honey Association adds: "Cooking doesn't have
to be a stressful experience for parents. Children enjoy helping prepare
simple recipes and it's important to preserve and pass down essential
cooking skills. Honey is fantastic ingredient to experiment with as kids
love its natural sweetness and varied texture."
The 11th annual National Honey Week takes place from 4 - 10 May 2009.
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