‘Why do kids’ menus always have chicken nuggets?’: Children’s observations on the provision of food in hotels on family holidays

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the influence of children on the selection of their food on family holidays and is explored through three research questions: what do children expect from hotel food services? Do the existing hotel food services meet their expectations, and, if not, how could they be improved? Through 26 face-to-face individual discussions at five hotels over 2009–2014, children (9–14 years old) outlined their observations on hotel food services both in the formal hotel restaurant and in the more informal hotel café. The results highlighted the following: the importance for children of the socialization experiences provided by holidays; a temporary increase in children’s power within families, as reflected in their ability to select their food on holiday; the high degree of movement between childhood and adulthood; and the need for more fluidity in the provision of food services for children. The article also calls for more honesty in the challenges faced by researchers when interviewing children. It concludes by suggesting that children were very critical of children’s menus, as they were seen to restrict their food choices; did not reflect their increasing awareness of the importance of healthy food; and regulated their entry into the adult world.