Q&A: STIR FOOD
“Always fresh, always nutritious, always delicious, and always forward thinking”
I
n our latest Q&A this month, we were delighted to catch up with Deborah Batchelor, Managing Director at Stir Food Ltd, an Education Today Awards sponsor, who tells us about the company, the values which underpin it and what the future holds.
Tell us about your business
We are exclusively a school catering company and have entered the market to reignite inspiration and joy in school kitchens across the UK. We create food for our young customers that stands out from the crowd. Our dishes have fantastic flavour and are beautifully presented to make a stir in the dining room in a fun and exciting way, conveying the message ‘Let’s eat together
What inspired your business and how did you develop the idea?
Having spent most of my career in the corporate catering sector, I was given the opportunity to build a business alongside my business partner and Client Director, James Colairo Moss. It’s been an opportunity for us to create something of our own with our like-minded vision but we have complementary skills which just work for us. Our primary focus is on establishing a sustainable business that is centred on the customer and food with a commitment to never lose sight of that as we grow.
Given that both of us have children in school, this underscores the importance of a well- balanced diet. We’re all about real, nutritious food and we want parents to have complete trust in the meals their children have while they’re at school with us.
Choosing ‘Stir’ as our business name felt natural—it’s simple and food-centric. It tells our clients and potential customers that we’re a food- focused business dedicated to enhancing school catering services for the better!
What are the values underpinning your business?
At the heart of our approach lie our guiding 10
www.education-today.co.uk December 2023
principles: Always Fresh, Always Nutritious, Always Delicious, and Always Forward Thinking. These principles are more than just words; they’re the driving force behind every decision we make. They reflect our personal commitment to serving fresh, delicious meals that not only satisfy but also nourish young minds and bodies. Collaboration forms the very essence of our operations, highlighting how important teamwork is in our close-knit community. We prioritise Safety First as a non-negotiable, and make sure that each meal is not just delicious but also prepared in a secure environment. Sustainability stands as a fundamental value that extends beyond the plate, guiding our choices to minimise environmental impact and Great Value for us is not just about cost, but also about the quality, nutrition and overall experience we offer. We’re not keeping up; we’re staying ahead. We embrace new trends and feedback, and look forward to evolving alongside our clients and customers.
How has your career path helped to shape what Stir stands for?
My career path - beginning as a teacher in the early stages of my career and later becoming a parent - has played a huge role in shaping what Stir is all about. As a parent, I understand how crucial a good school meal is for a child’s day. And having been in the classroom, I saw firsthand the link between what students eat and how it affects their overall well-being. So, when I founded Stir, it wasn’t just about dishing out meals, it was about bringing together food and education in a way that truly makes a difference. Having gained experience in larger companies, I’ve brought the best elements from those environments and blended them with my own and James’ ideas to drive Stir forward. It’s about taking the proven strategies and adding our personal touches. We prioritise what works best
for us, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment with a touch of individuality. I have combined my passion for food and education to lead this company to deliver on its promises. At Stir, food and people are always at the heart of what we do – we have a genuine passion and we strive to bring that to every part of the offer and service we provide.
What does the next year hold for you? We want to grow sustainably while forging strong working partnerships with like-minded partners who share our passion. Our growth comes from doing a great job and we want to expand with like-minded clients who will challenge the norm and support us as a business in delivering for our young customers. We’ll maintain a workload that aligns with our aspirations and allows us to deliver exceptional service to our clients while staying committed to mobilising effectively. Having a member of our Stir team on-site in new schools is crucial to support both our new team and clients through the transition providing a seamless experience for everyone involved.
We will continue to empower and develop our teams, whether through apprenticeships or ongoing Learning & Development initiatives. Creating a company that people want to work for is key, where individuals feel valued and trusted. As we move forward, our focus is to continue strengthening the foundations of Stir and fostering a workplace culture that reflects our commitment to excellence and collaboration. These are exciting times for us and we’re confident in our future success as we continue to uphold the principles that define us.
We would encourage anyone looking for a new catering partner that is reading this to check us out and get in touch
https://www.stirfood.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
