Top Cucina chef provides kitchen theatre for pupils
Cucina is setting a new benchmark for food in schools throughout the country by serving pupils tasty bistro-style food prepared by top chefs. Double rosette winning chef Andy Morris ensures that not only is food freshly prepared and exceeds nutrition guidelines, but the pupils also learn about different foods and are taught essential skills for life. All chefs working for Cucina, including Andy, also provide “Kitchen Theatre’ making and preparing food visual, exciting, involving and educational for pupils.
Cucina took over the catering contract for the beginning of this school year at Southfield School for Girls and top chef Andy Morris, 38, was employed as Cucina’s catering manager. Andy has impressive executive and head chef experience, successfully managing multi-site operations in hotels, restaurants and inns throughout the country. These include The White Swan Hotel, Middleham, North Yorkshire which was awarded and kept two rosettes.
In the Kitchen Theatre pupils can see how food is prepared at break time and see chefs chopping and tossing pizza’s. Cucina’s top chefs also share what they know about food with the pupils. This tactic has paid off. 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 600 girls enjoy a cooked meal at lunch time.
Steve Quinn, Managing Director of Cucina, said:
“We believe that offering kitchen theatre on our counters allows us to share what we know about great food with our pupils and encourage them to eat foods which they normally would not try. By employing the best quality chef’s at each school such as Andy Morris, Cucina deliver an exceptional service and teach our pupils great skills for life.”
Lynda Lorentzen, Bursar for Southfield School for Girls Specialist Sports College, said:
“The standard of food at Southfield now wouldn’t be out of place in a top restaurant and all the fresh fruit and vegetables on offer ensure that the girls get the nutrients they need”.
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Notes to Editors
Photos and a list of the newly introduced food based standards, which need to be implemented by September 2009, are available in Cucina’s press office at www.marketingprojects.co.uk
For more information on the standards please also visit: www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk
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. Cucina is delivering catering services at Southfield School for Girls in Kettering, The Harefield Academy in Uxbridge, Middlesex and other schools throughout England.
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
The Harefield Academy has 600 students aged 11 to 18 and 100 staff. For more information visit: www.theharefieldacademy.org
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 Tel: 0845 3891320 www.cucina.org.uk Spectrum House, Dunstable Road, Redbourn, St Albans, Herts AL3 7PR
