Double World Record Holders for Children In Need
Girls at Southfield School, Kettering, have smashed two food related Guinness World Records whilst participating in fun activities to raise money for Children In Need. The week long challenges were run in association with Cucina, the food service company employed by the school.
The girls were competing head to head every day for a week taking part in food related challenges set by Cucina. Monday was the quickest smoothie drinker, Tuesday was the fastest cream cracker eater, Wednesday was transferring grapes with a straw, Thursday was rice eating with chop sticks and Friday was pizza ordering.
Southfield students smashed the official 1 minute 26 second record for the quickest person to eat three cream crackers with a new fastest time of 1 minute 9 seconds. Also the three minute record for eating 64 individual grains of rice with chopsticks was obliterated with a new time set of 1 minute 54 seconds.
Steve Quinn, managing director of Cucina, said: "We are delighted that Cucina could assist the girls at Southfield to raise money for such a worthwhile charity through fun and interactive events involving our food service. Cucina and Southfields School worked together on the activities and the girls donated money to enter the competitions with an amount that they felt fit going to Children In Need."
In addition to the daily events, the school also extended its fast growing pizza reputation and set a new School Record of 32 pizzas ordered by staff, parents and pupils in the Kettering area. The pizzas cost £8 and £5 of that was donated to Children In Need.
The week’s events saw £500 raised for Children In Need and a further £1,000 was raised by Southfield School by staging a non-uniform day.
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Notes to Editors
Cucina took over the catering contract at Southfield School for Girls in Kettering, Northants on July 3 this year, prior to which less than 10 per cent of students and staff paid for school meals. Most opted to bring in their own packed lunch which often included crisps and chocolate. Cucina was brought in to replace menus designed by Jamie Oliver, which had failed to inspire the pupils for the previous 18 months. More than two thirds of the 1,100 students and staff at Southfield now opt for school dinners thanks to catering expert Cucina’s involvement.
Background to Cucina
Cucina is setting a new benchmark for food service. The Cucina team has many years experience within the hospitality industry at all levels.
The choice of catering partner currently available does not offer a truly bespoke or individual offer to meet the aspirations of discerning establishments; Cucina plans to change this. Cucina is pronounced ‘Cuchina’, the Italian word for Kitchen or a place where food is prepared and is different from other outsourced catering organisations. Cucina sets new, higher standards and provides an educational food service, not simply an education food service. Students and guests gain essential life skills embracing healthy eating and learn that food is fun! Cucina’s expertise provides an improved service at a greater value. Far from costing more to switch to an improved service with Cucina, the costs could be lower. Cucina manages the whole process, removing any day to day concerns. Cucina enhances both the learning experience and the learning establishment.
The Cucina team has a passion for the relentless pursuit of excellence. They believe in: - Fresh ingredients and innovative menus - The extensive use of local suppliers - Educating students during their dining experience - Continuously striving for excellence in all aspects of service - Passing on all supplier discounts to clients
By locating key elements of food production in the service area, the freshness of ingredients will be emphasised, whilst providing visitors with an experiential learning opportunity. Cucina has been created by Steve Quinn, a food and support services professional with 23 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.
His journey has taken him from the kitchens of France, as a sous chef with associates of Michel Roux, to experience in bars, restaurants, directors’ dining, housekeeping, porterage, reception, reservations, leisure clubs and conference & banqueting. These experiences span the education, blue-chip business, events and retail sectors. Steve’s experience as a Manager and Director has covered food service operations, sales & marketing, new product development, brand design, communications and training.
Southfield Specialist Sports College for Girls has 960 pupils aged 11 to 18 and 140 staff. For more information visit: www.southfield.northants.sch.uk
Photos available on request or downloadable at 300dpi plus at www.marketingprojects.co.uk in Cucina’s press office. Marketing Projects PR info@marketingprojects.co.uk Tel: 01244 330000 www.marketingprojects.co.uk Contact: Steve Quinn Managing Director, Cucina Tel: 0845 3891320 www.cucina.org.uk Poplar Farm, George Lane, Notton, West Yorkshire WF4 2NQ
Press contact:
Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705
Phil Brotherhood Mobile: 07884 493370
