Cooking With Gennaro Contaldo | Kids Eat Free At Jamie’s Italian

Eating out is a past time that me and Boo do oh so well, and the summer holidays are no exception. However constant trips to restaurants throughout the school break can add up so it’s great to learn that kids eat free throughout the whole of August at Jamie’s Italian. When the team at Jamie’s Italian invited us down to their Westfield restaurant to celebrate this, there was a catch: Boo would be cooking our lunch! I’ll hold my hands up and know and admit that I didn’t have high hopes for our lunch – oh how wrong was I…

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

We were greeted by the culinary legend and mentor of Jamie Oliver, Gennaro Contaldo – he really is as charming and lovely as he is on the tv and instantly had the children excited about cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We were in Jamie Oliver Cookery School which is located in Jamie’s Italian which is so far removed from the drab that was my Food Tech classes at school that I was actually excited about donning an apron.

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

First things first we were given a quick safety talk and all the children knew the first thing to do before cooking: wash you hands! We were then treated to a quick demo on how they make they’re special seven vegetable sauce that’s a perfect base for pasta sauces but can also be served as a soup; it’s great way to maximise the amount of veg your children are getting and whilst Boo will eat absolutely anything she though t was so fun to see how many veg they could cram into one sauce.

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Soon it was our turn to head to our cooking stations and get started on our meatballs, sauce and spaghetti dish; Boo was an absolute pro and remembered all the steps that Gennaro had shown us and even pulled me up for forgetting to salt the pasta water!

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Boo even got to try her hand at producing her own spaghetti from the pasta machine with the help of Ben, one of chefs on hand – it was great to be able to cook a classic dish with Boo taking the lead.

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

Next was my favourite part, eating the fruits of our labour. I’m so proud of just how well Boo did and I can honestly say it was one of the nicest pasta dishes I’d eaten in a long time, well done Boo!

Kids-Eat-Free-at-Jamie's-Italian

In addition to kids eating free throughout August at Jamie’s Italian, kids can also cook for free at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School with a full priced adult.

Big thanks to Gennaro Contaldo and all the team at Jamie’s Italian for teaching us just how much deliciousness goes into kids meals at Jamie’s Italian.

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15 Comments

  1. August 7, 2017 / 07:03

    What a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon! I do love Jamie’s Italian, I’ve been to two now and both have been lovely. I think it’s such a great thing when restaurants offer a kids eat free deal – always a plus for the parents!

  2. August 7, 2017 / 11:50

    Kids eating free and also cooking for free is such a great way to engage them and is exciting.Great post!

  3. Joanna
    August 7, 2017 / 13:25

    That is so cool that every child had their own working station and created their own meal. I love how the pasta was made from scratch, that’s the tastier. The children eat free campaign is really thoughtful as well!

  4. August 7, 2017 / 14:29

    I am a major Jamie Oliver fan and I love that he has given this offer for kids to eat free!

  5. August 7, 2017 / 15:38

    It’s brilliant how many restaurants are offering kids eat free meals over the summer holidays. Eating out soon adds up. I love Jamies Italian so would love to get behind the scenes and cook my own meal there.
    Helen recently posted..Wagamama at the White Rose Centre LeedsMy Profile

  6. August 7, 2017 / 17:26

    What a great experience! I think it’s really great that your daughter actually helped with cooking! She’s going to be a great chef one day!

  7. Olgay
    August 8, 2017 / 08:15

    Jamie is a great guy! I really love his cooking way. I tried to make the food as I learned the recipe from him. also children make their own meals in the kicthen by learning and experiencing.

  8. August 8, 2017 / 17:46

    Normally I would get scared of the thought of a child cooking my food but I am so glad that Boo made you a yummy pasta dish. Well done Boo x x

  9. August 8, 2017 / 20:45

    Oh I love this! How much fun to make your own dish, Boo looks like a natural in the kitchen! We are big fans of Jamie Oliver, I love that the do a gluten free menu!

  10. August 8, 2017 / 20:50

    How lovely! My little ones like cooking too but they usually make such a mess. This is a great offer from Jamie’s Italian. I love their food!

  11. August 9, 2017 / 01:12

    Awww .. Boo is the sweetest! I love cooking with my grandson and this reminded me so much of our afternoons spent together in the kitchen. Love that Jamie’s Italian not only lets kids eat for free, but encourages them to enjoy the process as well! x

  12. August 9, 2017 / 01:35

    Omg I love that they had her help and learn how to make those things. How cool is that? I have been looking for something similar with my girl scouts.

  13. August 9, 2017 / 09:11

    i still haven’t eaten at that restaurant yet – i blame the choice of london – however i guess it was a fun experience for you both and cool to do sth different together! memories!!!!

  14. August 12, 2017 / 07:21

    Your little Boo looks so proud of her beautful dish :)This is actually my favorite kind of food – pasta and meatballs 😀 I don’t have kids yet but I think that they should learn how to cook from the childhood as this will make them used of cooking their own stuff and not buying frozen pizza to reheat.
    I’m looking forward to more cooking adventures you are both going to take 🙂

    Best,
    Kasia