The book offers hospital culinary teams healthy and innovative recipes for children and visitors, alongside practical guidance from the NHS Supply Chain: Food Dietetics Team. It includes tips on portion control, the nutritional value of colourful foods and much more.
Aimed at inspiring trust chefs, it introduces a fresh, engaging approach to feeding children in hospitals, helping to make meals more appealing and varied. The bright, colourful presentation and bite-sized format make it easy to read and apply in daily kitchen routines. Ultimately, it encourages young patients to enjoy their meals and ask for “More Please!”—and now “Even More Please!’
Phil Shelley, senior operational and policy manager and national lead for Food from NHS England, said: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see that children’s and young people’s meal choices are finally receiving the focus and attention they truly deserve.
“I’m already noticing positive changes in services, particularly around the quality, availability, and thoughtful development of menus within hospitals feeding children. This second edition continues to drive innovation as a food concept, providing both inspiration and confidence to catering teams as we collectively raise the bar.”
The book was a collective effort and was produced with Charlotte Fairall from the charity Sophie’s Legacy. The charity was set up in memory of Sophie Fairall, who had a long stay in hospital until she died aged just ten years-old.
Idrees Anwar, lead dietician from NHS Supply Chain: Food, added: “Prevention, via good food within hospitals, hopefully will stimulate a movement that outside of hospitals parents and children want to make a difference for themselves. ‘Even More Please!’ is part of our Children’s Feeding Concept.
“It is a helpful guide and introduction that helps everyone see how we can be improving the food environment for children. Nutrition does form part of a Care Plan for a child in hospital, to aid their recovery, and food does very much play a part in that.”