‘Our goal is to help children fall in love with nature’ – Mizzi Studio Director

Nature-led multidisciplinary practice Mizzi Studio has just unveiled a new Family Kitchen & Shop at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

The new restaurant presents visitors with a world of fantasy, featuring a colourful, interactive space educating visitors about the origins of their food.

“Kew is an institution that has brought so much value to the entire world. Our goal has been to design a space that celebrates nature and learning, helping to make children and parents excited about food growth, hygiene, and preparation,” Mizzi Studio Director Jonathan Mizzi said.

“Through colour, texture, and wild nature-inspired form, we have created a space that brings families closer to the roles of the elements in nature, to seasonality, and the overall journey from plant to plate,” he continued.

Speaking about the establishment’s spirit, Mr Mizzi described it as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets botanical science laboratory.’

The Family & Kitchen Shop looks to promote the global research undertaken by RBG scientists and the importance of diet with an emphasis on a sustainable food colutre through sensory and tactile design.

“As we are living in a climate crisis, Mizzi Studio believes that nothing is more important than using design to champion humanity’s role as stewards of our great and beautiful planet. Our goal is therefore to help children fall in love with nature, so that they will instinctively treasure and protect it as they grow,” the Mizzi Studio Director added.

With sustainability and education at its heart, the restaurant has been divided into six key learning zones: diversity, autumn, science, water, sun, and spring. Each of these themes were developed as critical aspects of the production, processing, and preparation of healthy food.

Most importantly, the design has been conceived to take families on an exciting, nature-filled journey.

“We are very excited to have opened Kew Gardens’ new food and retail venue, the Family Kitchen & Shop. Situated next to the wonderful Children’s Garden, the restaurant is an ideal space for all the family to enjoy a meal,” Sanra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said.

“We hope this space will bring to life a sense of adventure and curiosity and encourage families to appreciate the delivious choices which plants offer in our daily lives,” she concluded.