First trip to Tiny TAYstes

TinyTAYstes is a fantastic company that travels around different locations in Tay Side running cooking classes for children of all ages. Every week Louise has a theme that she creates her recipes around and the kids make healthy and creative meals which they can eat for lunch.

I have loved the opportunity to go to one of these classes I received some interesting insights and feedback from Louise, the teacher, and from observing the children cooking and listening to their opinions . The children were a little younger than my intended target audience so I will be returning to an older class next time. Despite this I learned a lot from the younger children especially as due to their age their parents stay for the class and this gave me the opportunity to talk to them as well.

KEY INSIGHTS-

From the children-

My main observation from watching the children cooking is that their different way of gripping really effects how they hold and use the utensils. Could this be something to target? The children in all their excitement often grab knifes and forks without paying attention to sharp edges so I think making the handle scream ‘hold me here’ is very important in my design.

From the mothers-

The mum’s biggest concerns were mess and cost. They said the most effective products on the markets are too expensive to invest in. They also like taking their children to these cooking classes as its out with their home and when the children spill and and get messy its not their problem.

From Louise-

Louise tends to stick to utensils that children are already familiar with, for example, knife and forks. She commented ‘I’d never use a whisk, never. A fork does the same job and they know what a fork is and can do.’

She suggested a single handle that the function part of the utensil could fit into, so that children don't have to alter their grip. She also said that the utensils she uses most frequently and knifes, forks and spoons but also peelers and mashers.