Gastro-Experiences for Children: Practical Kitchen Workshops, Gastro-Museums and Events

Abstract

Gastronomy is a valuable field for children of all ages, fostering a sense of responsibility, teaching teamwork and healthy eating, while also developing survival, art, craft, numeracy, and motor skills. Including children in this area in their daily lives and holidays will enhance their self-confidence and abilities, enabling them to become social and active individuals. The controlling parenting style in society has gradually given way to supportive parenting, and as a result, children's role in the purchasing process has become more active. An example of this approach's reflection in the tourism sector is "child-friendly" hotels. A part of its cultural reflection is children's museums and trips that incorporate local culinary elements. This study focuses on the aspects of gastronomy activities carried out for children. In this context, the research question was determined as "To what extent are activities available for children to experience gastronomy?" By focusing on institutions such as museums, farms, hotels, and workshops that offer experiences for children to access and interact with gastronomy, and by examining their websites and Instagram accounts, as well as conducting some phone calls, the hypothesis was established: "There are events and opportunities for children to experience gastronomy, but they are in a developmental stage and need to increase." In light of the obtained data, the aim was to compile the gastronomy-related opportunities offered by child-friendly hotels, gastronomy museums, local culinary tours, and cooking activities for children, thereby creating a resource for the literature. While many countries such as America, Germany, and France have diversified and designed innovative approaches in this field specifically for children, it has been observed in Turkey that a large majority of innovative initiatives in terms of gastronomy activities for children, both in hotels and tours, and in events and museums, are carried out in the Istanbul destination. There is a need for these activities to increase.