Healthy Food Choices Are Child’s Play

88% of parents are dissatisfied with pub food choices for children & 65% admit to sneaking in food. To offer a parents a real choice when eating out, Orchid has linked up with Annabel Karmel to create a range of nutritionally balanced favourites.
By: The Orchid Group
 
May 27, 2009 - PRLog -- Latest research by The Orchid Group unveiled today, reveals that almost 9 out of 10 parents (88%) are dissatisfied with pub food choices for children.  What’s more, almost two thirds of parents (65%) admit to sneaking in food due to the poor selection of children’s food available.

In a bid to offer parents, and children, a real choice when eating out, Orchid has scored an industry coup by becoming one of the first pub companies in the UK to join forces with Annabel Karmel MBE. As the best-selling author on children’s food and nutrition, parents trust Annabel implicitly.  In fact, so much so, the research showed that three times as many parents rate Annabel over their own Mums when it comes to learning what to cook for their kids!

Working closely with Annabel Karmel, Orchid has developed a mouth-watering selection of children’s favourites that will provide parents with a range of tasty, nutritionally balanced meals for their children when eating out.  These creations will be first launched in 34 of Orchid’s Contemporary Carveries followed by a further 45 pubs across the country in early June.  Guaranteed to appeal to even the fussiest of eaters, the range will include delicious pasta dishes such as her best-selling spaghetti with hidden vegetable sauce, pasta bolognese and lasagne.  For more adventurous taste buds, there’s Thai chicken curry amongst other delights.

Annabel Karmel commented: “In childhood, eating habits and tastes (good or bad) are formed for life, so encouraging children from a young age to eat a healthy, balanced diet is vital. I applaud the Orchid Group for giving children’s meals true consideration and providing parents with a viable alternative. Too many pubs offer unhealthy ‘kid pleasers’ or mini portions of adult meals that are not balanced for children and contain too much salt or saturated fat. All my recipes are tested on children and are sure to satisfy parents as well as keep the kids happy!”  

The family dining market is one to take seriously, with parents rating the choice and quality of children’s food over and above their own.  15% of parents say they eat out with the kids ‘regularly’ and a further 70% ‘sometimes’.  Other interesting findings from the research included:
•Whilst 70% of parents would prefer healthy choices for their children, 68% ranked speed of service as the most important consideration when choosing where to eat out with their family.  
•33% parents admit their children eat chips every single time they eat out.
•57% say they are more likely to return to venues offering children’s activities such as colouring or games.

Sharon Hammond, Carveries Marketing Manager, said: “We take the needs of our younger customers very seriously and believe as much consideration should be put into kids menus as their grown-up counterparts.  Our collaboration with Annabel Karmel is a perfect partnership as she is as passionate about ensuring children eat healthily as we are!”

-Ends-
For further information, or to arrange an interview please contact Flamingo:
Katherine Sparkes or Phil Maclean T: 0117 968 8090 M: 0796 808 1152 E: pr@orchidgroup.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
[1] Online study of 500 UK parents with children aged 3-16 commissioned by Orchid during May 09.

About Annabel Karmel
Annabel is a leading author on cooking for children and has written more than 18 best-selling books that are sold all over the world. She is an expert in devising tasty and nutritious meals for children without the need to spend hours in the kitchen.

Annabel writes for many newspapers and magazines and appears frequently on radio and TV as one of the UK’s experts on children’s nutritional needs. She was awarded an MBE in the 2006 Queen’s Honours List for her outstanding work in the field of child nutrition.
www.annabelkarmel.com

About Contemporary Carveries
Orchid’s Contemporary Carveries offer the very best from the pick of Britain’s farmers.  With a variety of starters, freshly cooked British food favourites, delicious desserts and of course the classic British Farm Assured carvery – customers are spoilt for choice.  

The British Farm Assured carvery changes on a daily basis.  There’s outdoor reared British gammon or Border’s beef one day then West Country shoulder of lamb or Norfolk roasted turkey the next.  

Revolutionising the carvery concept with stylish, up-to-date furnishings in a comfortable home from home setting there is free wi-fi available throughout.  You’ll find female-friendly touches such as fresh flowers and stylish wallpaper and all meats on offer are imaginatively presented to ensure food always takes centre stage.
End
Source:The Orchid Group
Email:***@orchidgroup.co.uk Email Verified
Tags:Annabel Karmel, Orchid, Food, Children, Eating Out
Industry:Family, Food, Restaurants
Location:England
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