MASTER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!

The mums of MasterChef offer their top tips for getting kids in the kitchen

- Words: Harry Mulholland

ALANA LOWES

Crediting her mum for her love of food, season three's Alana is passing her passion for food onto her two kids Florence, seven, and Walter, five - who are fans of food from around the world.

"Their favourite foods change all the time, one week it's dumplings and the next it's pasta," Alana, 45, tells.

"At the moment they're loving masala curry. They hoover it down and if it's a little spicy they know to have it with lots of rice and yoghurt to take the edge off."

Her advice for getting kids into the kitchen is giving them simple tasks to make them feel like they're helping.

"If you're busy cooking and really need to get something prepared but the kids want to help, something as simple as a bowl of cream and berries can do the trick," she says.

"When working with pastry, kids love to cut shapes out of the offcuts - so just sprinkle them in sugar and bake! It makes them so happy."

For term three, Alana says cosy winter lunches are on the menu for her kids.

"Florence and Walter have a thermos that I fill with hot pesto pasta or soup. They love it!"