Plateful of Personality adds a splash of joy to kids' mealtimes

Hailey, artist Annie Aiton, Maddison and Hon Meredith Hammat MLA, Minister for Health; Mental Health

Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) has officially launched Plateful of Personality – a vibrant new initiative transforming hospital mealtimes into moments of colour, creativity, and comfort for young patients.

Unveiled during a special visit from Hon Meredith Hammat MLA, Minister for Health; Mental Health, the project blends art, health, and innovation to support the wellbeing of children and young people during their hospital stay.

A winner of the 2023 Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Innovation Challenge, the initiative has come to life through the imagination of WA artists and the input of young consumers.

Recognising that children often 'eat with their eyes', the PCH Food Services team commissioned bold, playful designs for hospital plates and bowls to make mealtimes more engaging and enjoyable.

Artists Annie Aiton and Ian Mutch were selected through a competitive process to create four unique designs each.

The final selections – chosen by children and families – feature whimsical characters and hidden surprises, sparking curiosity and delight with every bite.

Artist Annie Aiton shared her creative vision:

“I imagined characters travelling from faraway lands to meet on the plate – just like the children journey from home to hospital. As they eat, the artwork slowly reveals itself, encouraging them to finish their meal.”

Food Services Director Stephen Morris highlighted the project’s impact:

“Hospital stays can be tough, and mealtimes are often a highlight. These new designs bring a bit of magic to the experience – especially for long-stay patients who might see a different plate each time.”

Young judges Maddison (8) and Hailey (6) played a key role in selecting the final designs, choosing those that were “very colourful, kid-friendly and stood out.”

The new servingware has rolled out across PCH.