Teaching Kids to Cook a Thing of the Past for Busy Mums

But new research has revealed that today, only one in four mums regularly teaches their children to cook, leaving a whole generation at risk of entering adulthood without one of life's most important skills.

The research, on behalf of Potato Council's Grow Your Own Potatoes project, shows that despite family budgets being tighter than ever, an alarming trend is developing.  Nearly three quarters of grandmothers questioned described themselves as a good cook, but only half of mothers did the same. Today one fifth of mums admit to rarely or never teaching their children to cook, even credit crunch favourites like a baked potato or Shepherd's Pie. Sadly, insufficient time and the mess it creates are amongst the reasons given for not teaching children, with some parents also claiming their children just don't want to learn.

TV Cook and food writer Sophie Grigson, who is supporting the Grow Your Own Potatoes project, said: "Teaching children to cook can be great fun for both parents and children.  By encouraging children to take an interest in their food at an early age, you are helping to instil good eating habits for life, and introducing them to two of life's most pleasurable experiences - cooking and eating!

"As a mum I am very saddened by the results.  Cooking has always been one of those things that mums taught their children - this was, and is, certainly the case in my family.  Everyone should know how to make simple dishes like a baked potato or Shepherd's pie -appetising and economical, but easy to make.  I would encourage all parents to help their children learn to cook."

Three out of ten mums questioned listed time as the main reason they don't teach children to cook at home, with the next most popular reasons being that the children don't want to learn (12%) and that its too messy (11%). Despite this nearly 99 per cent believe that children should be taught to cook simple meals and dishes - either at home or at school. 

Nearly half of all parents questioned for the survey claimed that their children do not currently learn to cook at school.    Of those that did learn to cook more than 10% felt their children learned nothing useful. 

Kathryn Race, Potato Council, said:  "This research shows the importance of activities like the Grow Your Own Potatoes project for primary schools.  It is vital that the younger generation understand more about the food they eat and how staple foods like potatoes can be part of a healthy balanced diet.   The research supports our findings last year that revealed that four in ten young people can't even cook a jacket potato.   We all need to work together to ensure future generations do not continue this trend. "

This year 375,000 pupils will be taking part in Potato Council's Grow Your Own Potatoes project.  Pupils in over 12,500 classrooms across the country will be challenged to plant, grow and harvest the heaviest yield of potatoes.  The project, linked to the National Curriculum, will also help teachers to educate pupils about potato's role in a healthy diet.  A series of simple potato recipes have been put together in conjunction with the British Nutrition Foundation to demonstrate potatoes' versatility and value.

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