Haute cuisine for school canteen: International Chef joins Cucina at Harefield Academy
An exceptionally talented chef who has worked with some of the most famous names in cookery has joined the Cucina catering team. French chef Joe Kemel, who has cooked alongside Michelin Star chefs such as Jean-Christophe Novelli, is the new manager of catering services at The Harefield Academy. Cucina has recently won the contract to deliver catering services at The Harefield Academy in Uxbridge, Middlesex.
The Harefield Academy, which focuses on sport, health and well-being, was founded in September 2005 and it is hoped Cucina’s growth will mirror The Harefield Academy’s expansion and investment; nearly £30 million will be spent on new Academy buildings.
Joe, 37, trained in cuisine management in Strasbourg and has worked as a chef in hotels and restaurants all over the world.
Steve Quinn, managing director of Cucina, said:
“Joe’s experience and skills are fantastic news for Cucina and for The Academy. Children can often be more challenging to please than food critics. Joe has worked in some of London’s finest restaurants, including Novelli EC1 with Jean-Christophe Novelli, L’Escargot, Belgo and Chez Gerard. Over the last few years he has adapted these skills expertly to the education sector. Cucina believe that food has a vital role in our well-being and we are proving that good, fresh food can increase student numbers eating healthily, bucking the current declines being seen across the UK. We are delighted that our approach to food is being wholeheartedly embraced at Harefield, as well as across our growing estate.”
Since Cucina secured the contract at The Harefield Academy in December 2006, Cucina have increased food sales there by 300 per cent. Cucina will spend five terms in the old kitchens before moving to state of the art new facilities when building work is completed in September 2008. Cucina’s future also looks exciting with eight contracts won since July 2006 and many more in the pipeline, keen on benefiting from this innovative approach to food service.
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Notes to Editors
Cucina is a specialist food service company setting new benchmarks for education and business. Higher standards provide an educational food service, not just an education food service.
Cucina’s first contract was for Southfield School for Girls in Kettering, Northants in July 2006, prior to which less than 10 per cent of students and staff ate 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, food sales have increased from £100 to £800 per day.
Background to Cucina
The Cucina team has a passion for the relentless pursuit of excellence and believe in: - A “stealthy approach’ to eating healthily, where goodness is cleverly hidden in tasty food. - Providing tasty and nutritious food from innovative menus designed by nutrition expert Dr Mabel Blades. - Using fresh, local ingredients. - Educating as well as simply serving great food. Cucina’s menu offer and service style ensures that this is possible and link menus to the Curriculum. - Being an environmentally responsible company and thus recycle, reduce packaging, save energy and compost kitchen waste where ever possible. - Returning all supplier discounts to clients, retaining these to enhance earnings. - Providing a totally flexible partnership style from consultancy and executive lease to full management of services.
Cucina has been created 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.
The Harefield Academy has 650 pupils aged 11-18. For more information visit: www.theharefieldacademy.org
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.
Press contact: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705 Phil Brotherhood Mobile: 07884 493370 Marketing Projects PR info@marketingprojects.co.uk Tel: 01244 330000 www.marketingprojects.co.uk Contact: Steve Quinn Managing Director, Cucina steve@cucina.org.uk Tel: 0845 3891320 www.cucina.co.uk Spectrum House Dunstable Road Redbourn St Albans Herts AL3 7PR
