Family cooking is not on menu
More than a quarter of parents never cook with their children, a new survey has found. And one in eight families don't prepare any meals in the oven.
A fifth of eight to 15-year-olds say they have never cooked at home, while 54 per cent of parents claim that a lack of space prevents their children from cooking.
In total the survey of 1,045 parents and 1,000 children found that 28 per cent of parents don't make meals with their children, with 12 per cent never cooking a meal in the oven.
Most parents do, however, watch cookery shows with 72 per cent tuning in to watch the likes of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.
And around two-thirds look at recipes in magazines or online, with almost half of people watching, reading and browsing.
But more than a quarter of parents – 28 per cent – admit they spend more time thinking about cooking than actually doing it.
The survey was taken ahead of the launch of Uncle Ben's YouTube family cooking channel, Ben's Beginners, which focuses on encouraging children and their families in to the kitchen.
Uncle Ben's spokeswoman Kristen Kinkella said: "Evidence shows that kids are more likely to eat a meal when they help prepare it and that when families eat together, they are more likely to eat healthier foods. We want Ben's Beginners to put the fun into learning how to cook and teach skills that will last a lifetime."
The channel, at youtube.com/bensbeginners, shows seven children learning how to cook simple and healthy meals.
Actress and cookery author Lisa Faulkner guides viewers through the basics of cooking.
She "I know how lucky and thankful I am that my mum cooked together with me and passed on her love and knowledge about food."
A study last year found that Jamie Oliver was the most influential chef when it came to getting Brits into the kitchen.
The poll, by organic diary Rachel's, said that 58 per cent of people preferred to cook at home rather than dine out, with the average Brit cooking for five nights out of seven.
The same study said that the most influential cooking programme to change people's cooking habits at home was Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Meals. In total 21 per cent were influenced by the show, ahead of Great British Bake Off on 19 per cent.
Masterchef was the next most influential programme on 17 per cent, followed by Saturday Kitchen on 14 per cent and Come Dine With Me on 13 per cent.
Five easy meals for families (click on the items for recipe details):
Bangin' burritos with steak and mexican rice
Quick tomato soup with cheesy garlic dippers
