The kids are absolutely startled at the intensity of flavors. The boy (a 16 year old) said he comes just for the salads (which he never before ate) and the desserts (many of which he had never tried or heard of)!
I don't get why parents these days cater so much to the tastes, or lack of, of their kids. In my day, moms cooked and kids ate. There was never any question in our home about what they ate, with the exception of our daughter who was allergic to tree nuts and avocados. I don't recall any issues, like the kids today have. We have a grandson who when very young and when exposed to real, grated Parmesan announced he wanted the stuff in the green can. Our son, (who knew better) asked me if I had any.
When served home made apple sauce, he wanted the stuff in the can. I told him that I had picked apples off of a tree, and made the apple sauce from those apples. No way, he did not believe me. Stuff like that drive me nuts. Good for you, for getting the kids exposed to good cooking. Luckily, our grandson grew out of his issues with food, and eats most things now....he is 16 and eats everything I serve him. Then when he goes home and asks his dad to make what I did!