Gather 'Round the Table - Do Children and Fine Dining Mix?

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 25, 2010 3:40PM

On Monday mornings, we invite our readers to gather around our table and discuss a culinary issue of the day. If you have anything you'd like to talk about, send it to anthony@chicagoist.com

We're going to tread lightly on this, because we know it is a subject that causes a lot of debate. We've all sat through dinners with screaming children at the next table, or at our table, and it has caused us much pain and suffering, including some loss of hearing. But, is it worth it?

Recently, there has been something of a craze for foodie children. We've seen cookbooks aimed at 5-year-olds, children taste-testing cafeteria recipes, and cooking shows that include youngsters in the mix. We've even seen famous chefs bring their kids into the kitchen. No one can argue that teaching children to cook is a bad thing, but what about bringing them into the dining room?

Many of us who identify as lovers of fine food started early. This writer started eating out while still in the bassinet, and many people insist that it should be allowed as long as the children behave. What do you think? Should 5-year-olds be going to Graham Elliot? Should a restaurant be allowed to ask parents to take a child out? Is this important early culinary education, or are we creating a generation of insufferable child gourmands?

In addition, how should we deal with the parents who think misbehavior (or what other diners would think is misbehavior) is cute? We remember one incident where a youngster got up and stood on a table, and his mother laughed and took pictures while he stepped in our plates. Violent urges are a natural outcome of such moments, and how do we stop misbehavior when a parent won't intervene? Should fancy restaurants simply ban anyone under age 12?

Photo by ccbayer.