Joe Swash dismisses UK’s fast food mentality and urges families to learn art of cooking

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Joe Swash says the illusion that cooking is hard and a long process isn’t correct and reaches out for kids to be taught the invaluable life lesson

Joe Swash has claimed UK households should spend more time cooking as a family and has urged them to step away from ordering takeaways in a bid to get children to eat healthier.

The dad-of-three, 40, is an advocate for cooking at home and stressed the importance of youngsters being hands-on at dinner time.

He insists kids being part of the creative meal time experience makes them much more likely to enjoy their food and has tasked the nation with teaching them the important lifeskill.

While openly admitting he was a novice in the kitchen before competing on MasterChef – he classed his past skills as merely being good enough to “keep the kids alive” – the chirpy Londoner now realises it’s time for all families to learn and enjoy the art of cooking.

And he’s also determined to rid the nation of the stereotype that ordering takeaways is an easier option.

“It’s all a bit of an illusion that cooking is quite difficult and quite a long process,” he told the Mirror. “But it really isn’t, you know, really isn’t.”

The former EastEnders star revealed there are many quick and easy dishes that can be prepped from home, such as pasta.

He also explained how he makes sure cooking in his household, which he shares with fiancee Stacey Solomon and their kids, is a fun experience for all.

The actor-turned-presenter said: “When kids – well, my kids especially – sit down and concentrate on what we set out and concentrate on making it with us, when they see the end product, they’re so pleased and proud so they’re more than happy to eat what they’ve made.”

Joe was speaking as part of his latest linkup with HelloFresh who have launched 10 limited edition space-themed recipes which are inspired by Disney and Pixar’s latest film, Lightyear.

The campaign sees family favourites given a unique “out of this world” twist and the packaging can also be whipped together to make a model spaceship in a fun-filled family activity.

Joe added that this creativity aspect is also a brilliant way to help keep children engaged: “It’s just an added level,” he stressed.

“I always tell the kids that cooking is a bit like art, you know? It’s creative. You’re putting together something and you’re making something from scratch.

“Then you’ve got an end product that looks lovely and tastes nice. We treat cooking as a creative process.”

He went on to confess that some of the items three-year-old son Rex has brought home from nursery have been far from tasty, but insists he always praises the tot has he can see how proud he is.

Joe’s passion for cooking is continuing to grow too and as well as his latest linkup, he’s set to release his own cookbook later this year, which includes his signature dish – a “banging toad in the hole”.

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