75% Of Families Favour Food As 'Quality Time' Together

Published On Wednesday 28 Oct 2015 by Sticky Beak
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NEW RESEARCH shows that more people than ever in Derby are choosing to eat out with their family to spend ‘quality time’ together.

The study found almost 75 per cent of families questioned now visit restaurants more frequently in comparison to five years ago and are choosing dining out as a way to find essential family time in an increasingly busy lifestyle.

The majority (57 per cent) cited ‘quality time family together’ as the main reason ahead of a family celebration and socialising with the family. Almost half of families asked considered ‘quality of food’ as the most important thing, followed by ‘value’, and 63 per cent preferred restaurants that offer a children’s activity pack.

Le Bistrot Pierre commissioned the research to find out what was important to families before developing something to help drag kids away from screens.

In response, the independent restaurant group has launched a beautifully hand-crafted activity pack to make it even easier for families to enjoy the ‘quality time’ they’re looking for, now available at Derby’s recently refurbished restaurant.

Rob Beacham, co-owner of the business and father of three children said: “Quality family time can be hard to factor in at home surrounded by distractions, so the Bistrot Pierre family felt that a meal out together would be the perfect time to put away phones and tablets and really enjoy each other’s company.

“That’s why we have chosen to invest in our younger customers to create something really special for our activity pack. Our entirely hand-drawn activity pack includes 14 French-themed puzzles, games, story writing and Ou est Pierre?”

To mark the launch of the new pack and menu, Le Bistrot Pierre will be offering a free children’s meal and a giveaway to ten people during half-term week to those who find the mini Pierre character within their activity pack.

Lovingly created by established artist Julia Whitehead and mother of two, the activity pack aims to bring families together over meal times and offer something different when eating out.

Julia hopes the new packs will make mealtimes more fun for children and adults. “I really want the children who visit Bistrot Pierre to feel like they are about to have fun and be entertained during their meal, but also take home with them afterwards to enjoy,” she said.

“The booklets come in a striped-paper bag with a set of individual crayons, so they really are something special for children.”

Menu Enfant includes a choice of main such as: Roasted Chicken Breast, Fish Goujons, Tartes Flambées (French-style flat bread), Macaroni Cheese, Mini Burger, Croque Monsieur, dessert: Coupe Framboise, Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and choice of a drink for £6.50. All of which were vetted and selected by a children’s food panel in Bistrot Pierre’s Harrogate bistrot earlier this year.