Meet the Baby Chef

Matt Hazell has a very important job.  In his role as The Baby Chef, Matt helps parents figure out what, when and how to start weaning their babies.

The Baby Chef has created a series of DVDs, meal planners and books providing the perfect interactive guide to weaning, with great recipes to try and expert advice.

Matt very kindly took time away from his kitchen to chat to Not So Yummy Mummy and share how it all began…

So, how would you describe The Baby Chef?
We’re the simple alternative to reading lots of books on weaning. We use a fun and interactive way to show parents how, what and when to feed your young baby.

Sometimes we’ve been described as a cross between Annabel Karmel and Jamie Oliver, as we’re easy to watch and have all the information you’ll ever need for weaning!

When did you start the company and how was the idea conceived?
We started The Baby Chef in 2009, but the idea came when I was cooking food for Luca, our little boy, back in 2008. I was batch cooking some food, and in the background I had a celebrity chef explaining how to cook a perfect roast dinner.

I realised that no chef was out there explaining how to cook for little people, moreover that this is the most important time when it comes to feeding and sowing the seeds for good eating habits. So I started The Baby Chef, and two years later we launched our first DVD with meal planner and book.

How old are your children and are they good eaters?
Luca is now 3, and he eats just about anything I put down for him. He’s always been a good eater, and I like to think it’s because he’s been introduced to many varieties of food over the years. He has his days, but in the main he’s a great eater, and interacts well with food.

Tyler is only 3 months old, and she’s still feeding from mommy, but over the coming few months we’ll start the whole weaning process again with her. I can’t wait as I’ve a few new recipes I’m looking to try out on her.

I love watching cookery shows so I think the DVD is genius. Can you tell us more about what it covers?
The DVD has everything you’ll need to know for 1st stage weaning. When to start; what to start with; how to start; what about allergies; can you feed babies organic food and is non-organic safe?

It also covers cost effective batch cooking and why it makes sense and importantly what you should avoid. On top of all of this, we’ve lots of expert advice from Lucy Jones, our specialist dietitian and we’ve over an hour of Q&As for the viewer to watch and rewind if they need to.

Lastly, the DVD has some of the best and most refreshing visual recipes that are great to watch and easy to make.

As a first time mummy, weaning was hands down the hardest job I’ve had so far. My one year old daughter is now eating much better but she’s reluctant to try finger foods. Should I be concerned?
My feeling is no, don’t be concerned at this stage. As long as your baby is taking food and she’s healthy I would not worry too much.

I’ve always taken things slowly with Luca, and he eats well. He didn’t find finger food easy at first, but after a few months he was fine and started to really like playing and taking control of the food intake.

I would try to encourage any parent to relax and take it slow, this is a life-long skill you’re teaching, and you want them to enjoy the experience.

I love the idea of your online meal planner; I actually kept my own offline version when I first started weaning my daughter. What has the response been to your online tool?
The response has been great, with hundreds of parents logging on and tracking their child’s food intake.

What we we’re even more surprised about was the handy pull-out meal planner, as the number of people who have contacted us, and said they love it has been fantastic. This pull-out planner has a “food diary”, a “shopping list” and a “to do list” which are essential for any new parent as time and memory fades away. The other major plus is that it’s wipe-clean so 100% reusable!

Now my daughter’s one and eating well I’m finding it hard to brainstorm creative meals. Can you recommend any great recipes I could try?
If you go onto our website, I’ve created the most fantastic “Fresh Beef, tomato and Basil” sauce for little ones. It will also feature on the new DVD called “Tasty Textures” which I hope she enjoys!

What does the future hold for The Baby Chef?
At the moment we’re looking to complete our “Tasty Textures” and “Simple Solids” DVDs, and we’ve had such a good response to “Easy Weaning.”

In addition we’re looking to sign a deal with a major high street brand so we can sell all three on the high street and around the world. We looking at a potential TV deal whereby we would film an 8 part TV series all about cooking for little children and babies, I can’t wait!

The Baby Chef DVDs are available from Mothercare and Amazon.

For more information visit www.thebabychef.co.uk

November 21, 2010. Daddies, Weaning.