What makes Junior’s Pantry unique from other kid’s food brands on the market – why should parents buy your food for their children?
“Junior's Pantry is unique to other brands as it targets an older age group. I felt the toddler market was pretty well served but there was nothing for older children. Primary school aged children tend to lead very active lives after school with dance classes, football, Cubs and Brownies, but they still need to be in bed at a sensible time.
“There's just not always time for a parent to cook from scratch so Junior's Pantry can fill this gap. It's a healthy meal, with vegetables which can be microwaved in two minutes and is totally free of preservatives so parents can see it's as good as homemade.”
What were your favourite foods to eat as a child?
“I was a pretty fussy child, the list of foods I wouldn't eat was endless, but I grew out of this as I got older. I definitely loved my mother's puddings, particularly Danish Apple pudding.”
As a child were you an enthusiastic cook/foodie or has that developed over the years?
“I was definitely a late starter as a foodie; I had never even tried a curry until I was about 23! Now I will eat pretty much anything and have been lucky enough to eat in some of the best restaurants.
“I have to say that as I've got older I prefer real food that's not been messed about with too much. My nightmare is reading a menu where the description for each dish rambles endlessly on and on.”
Is there anyone in particular who inspires your cooking in the kitchen?
“My mother was not just an inspiration in the kitchen but as a mother that did it all. She was a teacher and taught for most of my childhood and I have absolutely no idea how she managed to run a house and work, we lived in a rural area where shops even closed on Saturday afternoon, so her menu planning must have been fantastic.
“When you think of the conveniences we have today with internet shopping and deliveries at all hours, washing machines with timers and so on, I really don't know how mum managed it. There wasn't even a shop between her work and home to get an emergency pint of milk from.”
What treats/snacks would you recommend parents to give to their children?
“I always offer fruit first but I do let them have a biscuit or some crisps, though they are still not allowed a whole bag of crisps and this is something I did right from them being very young. I would let them have some but not all the packet - there is far too much salt in all crisps and in particular those enormous "grab bags" sold at Petrol Stations.
“The children are not allowed to help themselves to food at home, they have to ask, not just take. I think this is key - you can't have a child constantly grazing on what they want. Often children will ask for food as they're bored so distracting them with an activity is a way to establish whether they really are hungry or not.”
Sell your products in one sentence…
“We make one pot meals for children aged 4+, each is a complete meal with at least one portion of veg and a guilt free alternative for busy mums.”
If that's enough to get your tummy's rumbling and you rmouths watering, then try Junior's Pantry at home for your kids and tell us what they thought in the comment box below, or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM