Who we are
Hello, I’m Ophelie, a local mum and food industry professional with over a decade of experience helping families and brands turn nutrition science into everyday products and healthy eating habits.
I created Little Food Explorers here in Winchester to give children a positive, pressure-free way to explore real food — using stories, play, and curiosity to build healthy long-term habits.
As a parent, I know how mealtimes can become a battle. Through playful exploration, I want to help children reconnect with food — touching it, smelling it, preparing it — so they learn to trust their senses and their “belly bugs”.
Our Partnership with Belly Bugs
Little Food Explorers is proud to partner with Belly Bugs, an science-based educational programme that helps children understand gut health in a fun and accessible way.
Through this partnership, our sessions use Belly Bugs’ playful storytelling and science-backed materials to teach children about the tiny microbes living in their tummies — and how these friendly bugs love fruits, vegetables, and variety.
This collaboration ensures that everything we do is both scientifically accurate and child-friendly, turning nutrition science into adventures children love.
What We Believe
In the UK, 15% of children aged 2–15 are obese and over 27% are overweight. Adolescents get two-thirds of their calories from ultra-processed foods. It’s clear that something in our relationship with food isn’t working — and that starts early.
At Little Food Explorers, we believe the solution begins with curiosity and play. When children are free to touch, smell, and experiment with real food, they start to build confidence and genuine enjoyment. By making food fun, we help them form a positive, lasting relationship with what’s on their plate — and a better understanding of how food helps their bodies and their Belly Bugs thrive.
Safety and Professional Standards
Your child’s wellbeing is our priority.
All facilitators are DBS-checked and trained in food safety and child-centred facilitation.
We are fully insured and follow safeguarding best practices.
We use safe, age-appropriate tools and ingredients.
Parents are encouraged to stay and take part — it’s a precious opportunity to see what sparks your child’s curiosity, understand what helps them feel confident, and take those “food wins” home.
Little Food Explorers also works with Belly Bugs’ educational advisors, ensuring our materials align with the latest understanding of gut health and child development.
“My daughter has been talking non-stop about the class and wants to eat all sorts of things this week end”
What parents had to say about previous sessions
“My little one really enjoyed it and it’s been such an incentive to eat healthily”
“M. likes courgettes and red cabbage now-result!! Sounds like a lot of fun was had - she loved the workshop. Thank you!!”