Cucina takes the biscuit for Children In Need
Catering expert Cucina has presented Children In Need with a cheque for £2,000 in the shape of a giant cookie.
Cucina, which serves fresh food to more than 25,000 pupils at 30 contracts up and down the country, has adopted Children In Need as its chosen charity.
Cucina baked and sold cookies to pupils, teachers and parents at its restaurants all week, with a donation from every cookie sold going to Children In Need, as well as holding raffles, selling teddy bears and even offering Cucina’s top chefs to cook meals at parents’ homes for the highest bidder.
Cucina Operator Tony Ridgwell, who is based at The Basildon Academies in Essex, said:
“We believe the idea of children giving to other children is a great reminder to pupils that there are others less fortunate than themselves. We are delighted that we have managed to raise £2,000 for Children in Need; this is made up of £1,000 raised in our restaurants which Cucina has matched. Since a lot of the money came from selling cookies, we thought presenting our donation as a giant cheque shaped cookie decorated by our chefs was perfect! We wanted to offer Children In Need this giant cookie as an additional gift to see whether further funds can be raised by selling it.”
Everything is made from scratch in Cucina’s kitchens, from homemade breads, fresh soups, homemade yoghurts, sandwiches and salads to fresh pizzas baked in professional pizza ovens. Cucina even makes their own tomato ketchup and mango chutney.
Cucina’s professional and innovative approach includes appointing a Head Chef to oversee each site and offering an educational food service which links the classroom to the kitchen. The new Cucina restaurants include theatre and a new service pod at The Basildon Academy, where breakfast and after school meals can be bought in addition to the Cucina Menu.
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PHOTOS (300dpi+) and more information at
http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/cucina
CAPTION:
(L-R) Creators of Cucina’s giant Children In Need cookie: Cucina Executive Head Chef Ian Morgan, Cucina Operator Tony Ridgwell and Scott Reader, Cucina Executive Head Chef for The Basildon Lower Academy
Notes to Editors
Cucina was founded by Steve Quinn, a food and support services professional with 26 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 provides restaurant quality food and have installed professional chefs to run its operations at the new contracts. Cucina has introduced breakfast service and after school Clubs at the new contracts, where the girls have healthy options which they are buying rather than spending on confectionery and chips.
For Cucina’s top recipes:
www.marketingprojects.co.uk/news/cucina/news/recipes-from-cucina
For Case Studies of Cucina Catering inspiring dissatisfied students to give school meals a try again please visit: http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/casestudy-detail.asp?caseid=103
Please view the website for press releases or photos which are available on request at www.marketingprojects.co.uk in Cucina’s press office.
Press Office: Marketing Projects Tel: 01244 330000
Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705
Phil Brotherhood Mobile: 07884 493370
info@marketingprojects.co.uk www.marketingprojects.co.uk
Client Contact: Cucina Restaurants Ltd Tel: 0845 3891320
Steve Quinn Email: steve@cucina.co.uk
Managing Director Website: www.cucina.co.uk
