Fresh start for new school year at Millbrook and St Andrews
Two new contracts to deliver fresh hot food replacing packed lunches have been won by catering experts Cucina. Millbrook Infant School with 350 pupils and St Andrew’s C of E Primary School with 230 pupils, both based in Kettering, Northants are now benefiting from Cucina’s unique approach to food.
Innovative menus reviewed by a top nutrition expert have been introduced at both Schools to ensure that all pupils and staff benefit from fresh, great tasting food.
Previously pupils brought in packed lunches which were eaten in the class-rooms, but now Cucina will prepare fresh locally grown food at Southfield School for Girls and transport it daily to nearby Millbrook Infant School and St Andrew’s C of E Primary School. The pupils will eat a more nutritious and well-balanced meal, which is proven to boost IQ and concentration levels for both physical and academic success.
Cucina also caters for St Mary’s Primary School based in Burton Latimer, Northants. Since both head teachers from Millbrook Infant School and St Andrew’s C of E Primary School recently visited St Mary’s Primary School for lunch and also attended a pupil and parent tasting evening, it was evident that great tasting food was possible even though no kitchen facilities were present, thanks to the Cucina team.
Steve Quinn, managing director of Cucina, said: “We are delighted with our two recent gains at Millbrook Infant School and St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School as it gives us a great opportunity to work with pupils who would otherwise have no access to fresh hot food at School. We are already noticing behavioural change and a willingness to experiment with foods the pupils are trying for the first time here at School. Afterall, if we can be involved in a small way with their education as well as their wellbeing we can help these Schools bring the Whole School Approach to life.”
Ellen Humphries, head teacher at Millbrook Infant School, said: “Cucina was recommended to us by the head teacher at St.Mary’s Primary School. We visited St.Mary’s and were very impressed with the standard of fresh food, compared to the packed lunches that we had. We are also very impressed by Steve Quinn and his team’s passionate approach. Cucina gave tasters at the new pupil intake parents evenings and also samples for pupil and parent tasting at the school for current pupils, which proved extremely popular.”
Rani Singh, head teacher at St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, said: “Cucina was also recommended to us. We were bowled over by Cucina’s enthusiasm for healthy eating and their proven track record at other schools throughout the country. Children, staff and parents have been very impressed with the food produced by Cucina.”
Southfield School for Girls in Kettering, Northamptonshire, in addition to St Mary’s Primary School, Northamptonshire, The Harefield Academy in Uxbridge, Middlesex and Driffield Junior School near York are amongst other schools also benefiting from Cucina’s unique approach to school food.
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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”.
Jane Carpenter, Business and Enterprise Manager for Edgbarrrow School, added:
“Very few of our students were buying lunches before Cucina took over, but now take up has soared. The quality of food Cucina produce is excellent and “stealthy eating’ is a great concept. Cucina is a young, enthusiastic, exciting and innovative company. The relationship is as important to them as it is to us. Cucina incorporate the hands on involvement of their directors and they have an obvious passion for what they do. Cucina has a desire to be part of the School, rather than just being our caterers. Cucina provide high quality food in line with Government guidelines, but still accommodate the needs of all our school community.”
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
