Cucina re-invest in Education
Cucina has sponsored nationally recognised business Awards for education at a glittering ceremony in London. Two of the schools Cucina deliver catering services to, reached the final of the School Catering category for the Awards.
Alongside Cucina Managing Director Steve Quinn, former Grange Hill and Eastender star Todd Carty presented the School Catering Award, which was one of 17 Awards at the 2007 ceremony.
The Awards, which were held in London, were presented to Primary and Secondary Schools and the winner of the School Catering Award sponsored by Cucina was Woodkirk High Specialist Science School, Wakefield. Commended were Sandhurst School and Edgbarrow School, both in Berkshire, which also both use Cucina’s services. Wimbledon Park Primary School, London and St.John’s Primary School, Hampshire were also commended in the category.
Cucina, which supplies catering services to eight schools and a hotel group, has recently surpassed a million pounds in turnover from start up in 2006.
Steve Quinn, Managing Director of Cucina, said: “We must congratulate Woodkirk High Specialist Science School for winning the School Catering category, along with the other four short-listed schools. Cucina believe that food has a vital role in our wellbeing and we are proving that good, fresh food can increase student numbers eating healthily bucking the current declines being seen across the UK. We think it is important to recognise achievement in catering and we are now looking forward to a busy Christmas period.”
Chris Hulme, Catering Manager of Woodkirk High Specialist Science School Wakefield, said: “We had a fantastic night and are over the moon to win the Catering Award. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cucina for their support of such a worthwhile Award. We were also grateful to receive the Award from a fellow Yorkshire man, Steve Quinn.”
Jane Carpenter, Business and Enterprise Manager for Edgbarrrow School, added: “We are delighted to get down to the last five for this Award, sponsored by Cucina, a young, enthusiastic, exciting and innovative company. The relationship is as important to them as it is to us. Cucina has a desire to be part of the School, rather than just being our caterers.”
Bursar for Sandhurst School, Colin Summersgill said: “Sandhurst School were pleased to be nominated for this prestigious Award and to receive a commendation, which was an achievement as Cucina’s contract only started in September 2007. Cucina’s genuine interest in providing good quality, tasty and healthy food has been very successful so far. Cucina’s innovative ideas and desire to become involved with the school curriculum and wider school life is proving to be popular both with students and staff alike.”
More than 45 schools from across the country were recognised for their achievements at the Awards.
Ends: 452 words Notes to Editors
Cucina was founded by Steve Quinn, a food and support services professional with 24 years experience within the industry, working with international hotel groups such as Rank, Thistle, Hilton and Concorde (in France), as well as contract catering firms Sodexho (formerly Gardner Merchant) and the Compass Group. Steve works with a team of top chefs and professionals to ensure that his vision of great food is truly embraced and delivered.
Cucina’s restaurants are fast growing and currently deliver specialist catering services to:
1. Southfield Specialist Schools for Girls, Kettering, Northants: Specialist Sports College with 1960 pupils aged 11-18, www.southfield.northants.sch.uk
2. The Harefield Academy, Middlesex: A Specialist Sports Academy with 660 pupils aged from 11-18 as well as Watford FC Academy Players www.theharefieldacademy.org
3. Sandhurst School, Berkshire: State Secondary School with 1200 pupils aged 11-18 www.sandhurst.bracknell-forest.sch.uk
4. Driffield Junior School, East Yorkshire: Junior School with 564 pupils aged 7-11
5. St.Mary’s Primary School, Northamptonshire: Primary School with 276 pupils
6. Edgbarrow School, Berkshire: State Secondary School with 1260 pupils aged from 11-18. www.edgbarrow.bracknell-forest.sch.uk
7. Millbrook Infants School, Northants: Infant School with 350 pupils aged 5-11
8. St.Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Northants: Junior School with 230 pupils aged from 7-11
What Clients say about Cucina:
Lynda Lorentzen, bursar for Southfield School for Girls Specialist College, said:
“The standard of food at Southfield now wouldn’t be out of place in a restaurant and all the fresh fruit and vegetables on offer ensure that the girls get the nutrients they need”. Prior to Cucina’s involvement, less than 10 per cent of students and staff paid for school meals and most opted to bring in their own packed lunch which often included crisps and chocolate. Now more than 500 girls enjoy a cooked meal at lunch time”.
Dr Phil Bassill, Director of Resources and Business Development, at The Harefield Academy said: “The children at The Harefield Academy benefit from healthy, well prepared, exciting food from Cucina. We have seen Cucina’s positive influence on the students’ energy, behaviour and attention spans. Before Cucina was brought in, a significant number of students were choosing not to eat at The Academy restaurant, but Cucina has really turned this around.”
6th former Cassie Watts was one of the students on the selection panel for the new catering contract at Southfield School for Girls said: “I chose Cucina because when they made their presentation they spoke to us, not just to the adults. After all we’re their biggest customers, not the adults. And they have delivered exactly what they said they would. It’s the best decision we ever made.”
Contact Cucina
Press Office: Marketing Projects Telephone: 01244 330000 Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705 Phil Brotherhood Mobile: 07884 493370 info@marketingprojects.co.uk www.marketingprojects.co.uk
Please view the website for press releases or photos which are available on request at www.marketingprojects.co.uk in Cucina’s press office.
Recent press stories:
The Guardian: Southfield School for Girls pupils are fully engaged in their meal choices and are now eating healthily thanks to Cucina http://education.guardian.co.uk/schoolmeals/story/0,,2186556,00.html
School Food Trust: Cucina inspiring dissatisfied students to give school meals a try again: http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/stacker_detail.asp?Contentid=465
Times Education Supplement: School meal takings have soared as heavenly gastro grub has kicked Jamie Oliver into touch. http://www.tes.co.uk/search/story/?story_id=2316530
For Cucina’s top recipes: http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/59/news/736
For more information on the Food Based Standards visit: http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/59/news/751
Client Contact: Cucina Restaurants Ltd Telephone: 0845 3891320 Steve Quinn Email: steve@cucina.co.uk Managing Director Website: www.cucina.co.uk
