Gold Coast Restaurant Wants Kids to Play With Their Food

A Gold Coast restaurateur is challenging one of the top parenting rules in the name of creating happy family moments, by encouraging kids to play with their food.

Pancakes on the Rocks’ General Manager, Nelson Tromp, is defying the adage that kids shouldn’t play with their food by putting loads of fun meal options for kids under 10 on the menu.

“Kids are creative and adventurous, and the various colours, textures and shapes of food mean kids can see meal time as play time.

“Having fun at meal times can encourage a good relationship with food, so if you can find a way to make a burger into a funny face or a pancake into an animal, then get creative!”

“Watching kids’ faces light up when their Mad Hatter’s cheeseburger or Funny Face pancake comes out is such a delight, and it becomes a moment that the whole family cherishes,” Nelson said.

UK studies have shown playing with food may also encourage a wider and varied diet, and overcome a fear of new flavours.

It seems kids can’t get enough of big smiles, with the Funny Face being the most popular kids meals on the Pancakes on the Rocks menu.

All kids meals at Pancakes on the Rocks including Butterfly, Alice in Wonderland, and Crazy Potato pancakes are available for under $10 at Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise.