Peace out, chicken nuggets! NYC kids can now play food critic for a day

Think your kids would ever say “No way!” to macaroni and cheese or pizza bagels? They just might after tasting mouthwatering creations whipped up by some of NYC’s most exclusive restaurants. Spearheaded by culinary entrepreneur and restaurateur Claus Meyer, who originally founded Kids’ Table in Denmark in 2011, this unique event gives kids—usually unwelcome in fine dining establishments—the chance to put that white napkin in their lap, pull up a chair and expand their palates beyond your usual finger foods.

Meyer shared a bit with us about his vision and motivation for bringing Kids' Table to the U.S. (and to the world): "Loris Malagucci once said that children are born with 100 languages but we deprive them of the 99. Our kids have the capacity to heal broken food systems. It just wont happen if they grow up on fast food! 2011 was the first year restaurants all across Denmark organized Kids' Table together. New York City’s eating scene is adult-centric. Imagine if together we could change it? The current/present generation of kids could be the first in the history of mankind to teach their parents how to cook. I want grow old knowing that I did what I could to make that happen."

The culinary experience is in it's second year in New York, and it's open to young diners ages 7–14. Attendees will receive a meal that, in some way, incorporates this year’s three pre-selected ingredients: strawberries, asparagus and guinea hen. It is left to the discretion of the chefs at each restaurant to determine how they would like to use the ingredients (whether in one of the menu’s three dishes or distributed over the starter, main course and dessert).  

The best part? Kids’ Table is parent-free, so your tykes, tweens and young teens will be able to summon their adventurous sides and taste new foods outside the familiar dinner table setting (attentive staff will be onsite to watch and guide your children through their experience). 

The event will take place on June 8, 2017 from 4–5:30pm, and participants currently include:

Agern-Great Northern Food Hall, Atera, Blue Hill New York City, Colonie, Decoy, Jean Georges, N'eat, Norman, Perry St, Rebelle and Zuma (with, potentially, more to be added). Proceeds from the event will be divided equally between Melting Pot Foundation and charities selected by participating restaurants.

"There are so many fantastic non-profits nominated this year, including No Kid Hungry, Food Dreams, Edible Schoolyard, Stone Barn Center, Meals on Wheels, C-cap and my own Melting Pot Foundation. They’re all doing a phenomenal job to promote food justice across the board, while encouraging and engaging the younger generation to take a stand, providing them with tools and courage, and educating/inspiring them while they explore their culinary quest. I can certainly say that it warms my heart deeply to connect the dots and see the different restaurants’ motivation and support behind the mission of Kid’s Table and the positive spillover, ripple effect benefitting such great organizations," Meyer commented.

Purchase your event tickets at kidstable2017.brownpapertickets.com

Want to learn even more about the event? Visit our original coverage of last year's first-ever Kids' Table event in the US.

*Time Out New York Kids is the official media partner of Kids' Table (2017).