At Real Food for Real Kids, we always prioritize taste & nutrition – but quality control is just as important! That’s why our team takes part in a daily ritual we call Sensory. That’s right, every day! It’s our internal review that helps us stay connected to the food we serve and the standards we’ve set.
it’s all about:
- Keeping a close eye on quality & consistency
- Capturing what’s working well (and what might need tweaking)
- Continuing to learn & improve every day
- Ensuring we keep records for traceability
Sensory insights help us fine tune recipes and level up how we do things in the kitchen. Over time, daily sensory becomes a helpful record of what’s working well and how we can continue raising the bar.
how we do it
Think of it as our daily “taste test adventure”, we receive the meal as the centres do, delivered in the same format—we even keep the hot food toasty warm until it’s time to dig in! A portion of the day’s meal is set aside, and our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams gather to check everything: the look, the smell, the taste, and the texture.
These structured sensory checks aren’t just fun, they’re also scientific. They help us make sure every meal is fresh, flavourful, and consistent across thousands of servings each day. And while we’re all about celebrating taste, we also tuck away a portion for food safety retention samples. This ensures that if there’s ever a concern, we can reference exactly what was served, which is an important step in keeping kids safe and giving parents & ECEs peace of mind. It’s all about having that extra layer of reassurance!
The result? Meals that balance science with taste, so they’re as reliable as they are delicious. Kids get the best eating experience possible, while adults can trust that quality & safety are always a top priority.
📸 fun fact!
Often, sensory doubles as our very own mini food photography session. You know those real meal reels we love sharing on Instagram? They’re snapped during sensory to give you insight into what the little ones are enjoying that day.
If you haven’t seen them yet, be sure to follow us at @realfoodforrealkids to see what your kids are munching on.