I love to see young children discover the enjoyment of food. Children learn to eat from their parents and I believe it is important from the earliest age to introduce them to good, tasty, real foods, not baby or childrens' foods that are different from what adults eat. I myself grew up in a large family, and my love of food and cooking came from the big family meals we always shared together, prepared by my mother, who was a wonderful cook. My father loved to grow vegetables and fruit in our garden, and so I grew up appreciating the flavours of the freshest foods, picked that day and simply prepared.
Today Ruth and I try to instil the same love of food and eating in our young son Joseph. It's not ever been a problem, because already he really loves his food and is quite adventurous in what he likes to eat. He particularly loves fish, pasta and anything pickled, like cornichons!
I don't believe that children have pre-determined likes or dislikes at birth. If they are given interesting, varied foods from an early age, it's surprising what they will enjoy eating. So don't ever give up trying. Remember, too, that children's tastes, like our own, change and evolve, so though they may not like something now, you shouldn't give up trying as they may well grow into it. Ruth doesn't like eggs, but she makes a point of cooking them for Joseph.
Ruth is a great cook, and she never prepares meals especially for Joseph. We all eat the same foods together and we try and have as many family meals as we can.
I love to see well-behaved children in my restaurants. It's a real pleasure to see young people appreciate and enjoy the pleasures of food. In my view, children should never be excluded from the dining room. Just as it's our job to make adults feel comfortable and welcome, so should children be made to feel a part of the dining experience. And if children are treated with respect, they usually respond and behave accordingly.
For this reason all children under five eat for free in Michael Caines restaurants and café bars.
