Expert PAT FELLOWS INDUSTRY
School Catering is entering what I call “its busy season”, with lots of national events happening
The first of these has just taken place, the prestigious LACA School Chef of the Year 2013. The national final was held in Worthy Down, Hampshire, on 15th
May. The competition is
organised annually by LACA and is sponsored by MAGGI from Nestlé Professional. Ten regional finalists prepared and cooked a two- course school meal in 90 minutes at a cost of £1.50. The meal had to meet the nutritional standards and be delicious and appetising to pupils and students. Most importantly, amongst the judges were two pupils, from South Wonston Primary School, Winchester. Last year, Alison Gann from the LACA South East region and Battle Claverham Community College in East Sussex (my authority) was the winner. I am pleased to say that this year’s winner is Corrine du Preez, who is employed by Caterlink for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. She is based at Kings Court First School in Old Windsor, Berkshire, preparing around 95 meals a day for 4–9 year-olds. The winner of the Highly Commended Main Course prize was Pamela Jamieson from Cumbrae Primary School, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, and the winner of the Highly Commended Dessert prize was Dalila Christopher from St Stephens Church of England Primary School, London Borough of Lewisham.
Corinne said: “I was so proud to have won the national title. With the standard in the competition being so exceptionally high, I felt it was an achievement in itself to compete with such a talented group of people. All of this just goes to prove what a good job school chefs do, day in, day out, up and down the country to provide tasty, nutritious meals for millions of children.” My congratulations go to Corrine and to all those who took the time and commitment to enter the competition. I have heard some good news about National School Meals Week, which will take place from 4th
November. The aim of the week
is to promote and celebrate all the good things about school lunches. LACA will be asking school caterers, as well as Local Authorities and
66 June 2013
schools, to provide a free school lunch to all pupils on one day during the week in England and Wales. To promote this initiative and endeavour to acquire some money towards the costs from the government and Parliament, on Wednesday 26th
June all MPs are being invited
to sample a complimentary school lunch. I think that this is a brilliant idea. The tasting will take place in the Houses of Parliament directly after Prime Minister’s Question Time. Even at this early stage, some school caterers have said they will be providing the free lunch. To find out more, visit
www.nsmw.org.uk. It is an excellent web site, so please look at it and get involved. I mentioned in last month’s issue that the LACA conference is on July 10th
-13th – but I
got it wrong. It’s no longer the ‘conference’; it is called ‘The Main Event 2013’. Looking at the programme, the speakers look very interesting. I think it will be very informative and a ‘must go’ occasion. The exhibition promises to be innovative and full of new products. I am particularly looking forward to hearing what Gyles Brandreth has to say, and Levi Roots should be fun as it appears he may play his guitar. The grand finale address features my highlight of last year, with Katherine Grainger, Olympic Gold medallist, and Greg Nugent, director of branding, marketing and culture at the London 2012 Games and Paralympic Games. The planners of the conference in my opinion
have been very clever, as each year I get very cross when on Friday morning the conference hall is at least half empty. They have moved the first session to 11am, so there is no excuse to not be there. Add to that the first speakers are John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby and I am optimistic that the hall will be full up. Two of my friends have recently retired. The first is Kitty Keeley, cook supervisor at
Dallington Primary School in East Sussex. Kitty has completed 40 years working at the same school, and she has done a fantastic job, feeding three generations of children. Although she is not known nationally, I want to pay a personal tribute to her and to share it with you, as Kitty is a wonderful example of so many school meals staff.
“I am particularly looking forward to hearing what Gyles Brandreth has to
say, and Levi Roots should be fun as it appears he may play his guitar”
The second is well known to lots of you, Joe Hunt. Joe retired from Rochdale MBC where he held the post of Lead Operations Manager (Catering and Cleaning) in March this year. Joe has always been willing to share his experience and knowledge with others. He has helped so many
colleagues in his quiet gentle way by assisting them, particularly in financial issues, and helping them to be more commercially astute. Joe’s attitude to his staff was very special; he treated them with the greatest respect, listened to them and often implemented their ideas. For over 20 years Joe has been an active member of LACA and has made a huge contribution both nationally and in his own North West Region.
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