There is a significant, positive shift happening in British homes. Forget the bedtime story—new research reveals that 3 in 4 parents now say the kitchen is the best place to bond with their children. It has replaced the traditional evening routine as the primary space for building family connections.

But while the love of cooking remains, the menu has changed. The research commissioned by Japanese food brand Yutaka found 9 in 10 parents believe classic kids’ baking skills, like making flapjacks and cupcakes, are dying out due to sugar concerns and a desire for more adventurous dishes. So, where does a modern, busy parent start?

For mum-of-two and West End star Alexandra Burke, the answer lies in letting go of perfection and embracing the joy of a healthy, low-pressure meal: sushi.

Confidence "is the main barrier," she tells us in this exclusive interview. "Parents often stick to what they know their kids will eat, but you have to encourage getting into the kitchen, making a mess, and being a little carefree.”

"Sushi really is child’s play—it’s quick, healthy and interactive, all the ingredients for very happy children in my household.”

The Sweet Spot of Moderation

This is a philosophy hard-won by the star, who, after running a marathon in April, committed her household to a significant focus on health. "My family background, with a history of diabetes, means I’m incredibly aware of sugar content," she shares.

"We believe in moderation, and it’s nice to have a treat, but everything needs to be in. You’ve got to be super aware, as a parent, of what we are feeding our kids... You can make better choices out there. As long as you are aware of it and talking to your kids about different fruits and how they taste, you can integrate healthier things."

This new approach comes to life in her beautiful open-plan kitchen, which she says has been the heart of her family life for 14 years. "We have slow Sunday mornings where Darren [her partner] and I get the kids involved. They help make the eggs, and then we go for a walk with our four dogs."

It’s not just Alexandra driving the fun. "I have to say, Darren loves to cook as much as me," she laughs. "When we first met, he wasn't really into it. It's since having kids that he wants to be more creative. He wants to learn new dishes."

The Messy Magic of Making Sushi

For Alexandra, the key to success with new dishes like sushi is low-pressure, messy play. She recalls a chaotic Christmas bake:

“One Christmas two years ago, my little one was making gingerbread men. The flour was the star of the show. My baby had the flour everywhere! It was putting it all over me, the clothes everywhere. But it was beautiful to see how free my little one was in the kitchen."

She uses a genius trick to help her young children safely participate in cooking activities like suhsi-making: "We bought this little step thing off Amazon, where the babies can kind of climb into and step up to the counter so they’re safe. That was a really good buy.”

The new research backs this shift toward hands-on involvement: 95% of parents now cook regularly with their children. Food trends expert Lisa Harris working with Yutaka explains: "This suggests a genuine generational shift towards making the kitchen a space for bonding, creativity, and healthier choices."

From Chinatown to the Kitchen Counter

Alexandra’s love for adventurous cooking and Japanese cuisine started long before she was a parent, thanks to her Aunt Sonya.

“My auntie Sonya is half Chinese, half Jamaican, and she is the one in our family that introduced us to Japanese food and all different cuisines. She would take us to Chinatown for Chinese New Year, and we weren't allowed to use forks! She'd make us sit there with the chopsticks and say, you are using the chopsticks and you’re gonna learn. And I just think it was lovely."

This heritage is why she’s so passionate about getting families to try making sushi, a dish she didn't realise was so simple. To inspire others, Alexandra teamed up with Yutaka and a group of talented young foodies, to create a new recipe book that lets kids take the creative lead.

"It’s beautiful to see how free my little one was... and I witnessed it first time doing the workshop with these children. The kids were so in love with what they were doing... I want parents to look at the book and just go, I want this for my children. I want them to be imaginative."

The Secret Weapon: A Book Made by Kids

In reality, dishes like sushi offer advantages over traditional baking: no hot ovens and sharp knives can be avoided with adult preparation. The new recipe book—Seaweed Sid & The Sushi Squad—removes the pressure entirely.

"The book says it clearly on the front: 'Family-friendly sushi recipes designed by kids,'" Alexandra shares. "That in itself is enough for any parent to pick it up. Because it's made by kids, for kids and families."

The star was inspired by the confidence she saw during the workshop where the book was created. "If you feel like you, as a kid, are in a safe environment, you will be at your ultimate best. I walked away from that, just saying to myself, wow, I'm inspired by these children because they didn't hold back."

Ultimately, Alexandra hopes the book will encourage families to make healthier choices and find alternatives to technology in their homes.

Seaweed Sid & The Sushi Squad is available at https://www.yutaka.london/seaweed-sid-recipe-book