Twelve dads paired up with their children on Thursday evening at a hands-on cooking session organised by the Centre for Fathers.The event was held to commemorate next week's Eat With Your Family Day on May 31.

The session also included a cooking demonstration by ToTT Bistro Executive Chef Clarence Chong, who taught participants how to cook a simplified version of Buddha Jump Over the Wall.

The organisers hope that families at the event will be inspired to recreate the dishes learnt in the kitchen next week on Eat With Your Family Day.

Said chief executive of the Centre for Fathering, Mr Peter Quek said: "We found it ironic that fathers, as the breadwinners of the family, do not have time to eat the very food they place on the table with their family. Through events such as these, and Eat With Your Family Day, we want to convey to fathers that they have an important role to play in their family."

Eat With Your Family Day was initiated in 2003 to encourage Singaporeans to inculcate a habit of eating regular family meals and spending time with family. It usually takes place on the last Friday of May.

As of Thursday evening, 111,786 participants from 267 companies had registered for the event. The organisers hope to eventually get 170,000 to 250,000 people to commit by next Friday.