Meet Seaweed Sid & The Sushi Squad!
British kitchen traditions are changing. Families are now swapping traditional sweet treats for adventurous dishes, like sushi, ramen, and fresh pasta. It’s not just a trend; it’s an evolution in how we cook with our children.
To celebrate this cultural change, we’ve partnered with the imagination experts – your kids – to create the world’s first sushi recipe book designed entirely by children. Every recipe started as a wild, wonderful doodle by a real child, and with the help of singer, actress, and mum Alexandra Burke, these designs were transformed into family-friendly recipes by Japanese chef Yuki Gomi.
The result? Sushi that’s charmingly imperfect, easy to prepare, and bursting with flavour. No fancy techniques, no perfect presentation, just pure imagination and tasty food.
Parents want adventure over tradition
Nearly half of British parents (44%) are moving away from classic traditions like flapjacks and gingerbread, and many are dropping cupcakes and biscuits from their menu, sushi rolling, pasta making, and sourdough baking are becoming kitchen staples.
The numbers tell the story: over half of parents want their children to develop more adventurous tastes. Eight in ten say their kids are more likely to have rolled pasta than made a rice-crispy cake. Two-thirds would rather see them nibble on fresh vegetables and fish while making sushi than lick cake mix off a spoon.
“Being a parent of two, I’m always looking for ways to maintain wonderfully nutritious meals while keeping kitchen time lots of fun. I love Japanese food, so it is a dream to work on this sushi book with all the talented young foodie artists and Yutaka. Sushi really is child’s play, it’s quick, healthy and interactive - all the ingredients for very happy children in my household!” - Alexandra Burke, singer and mum
designed
by children
with each
recipe!
What the experts say
“Making sushi is really fun! Once you get used to it, it’s not hard to create your own sushi character!” - Henny, aged 11, Imagination expert and workshop participant
“There is a wider trend towards elevating everyday food for more joy-filled moments that create connection. Sushi satisfies that trend as well as family priorities; it’s healthier, adventurous and achievable for parents, and perhaps most importantly, it’s delicious and fun for kids.” - Lisa Harris, Food trends expert at Harris & Hayes food trends consultancy
“Getting kids into the kitchen is all about creating a welcoming environment. They learn best by getting involved, whether that’s chopping or prepping herbs, and that hands-on experience can help encourage them to try new flavours. Kids are wonderfully open-minded - perfect for cooking at home to discover new flavours and cuisines, like sushi!” - Yuki Gomi, Japanese chef
A massive thank you to:
all the children who attended our workshop,
Na and the Yutaka team,
Jessie's art shed,
Yuki,
Our recipe developer,
and of course, Alexandra Burke!