In 2004, the schools’ parent governors looked at ways of improving the schools’ catering provisions. The previous contract for the school catering provisions was due for renewal in July 2005. They set plans into motion and in July they appointed Nick Copson as Head Chef/Catering Manager.
The evolution began.
The school is now into its third school year for the in-house catering and the changes in the previous two years have been remarkable. The dining hall has been completely transformed and this school year sees the addition of a sixth form café area. Into the kitchens and the equipment has been replaced with 21st century appliances and after a twelve week program of works, a new extractor system has been installed with full air conditioning giving an improved working environment for the catering team. The ceiling and lighting has also been replaced making it a brighter and more vibrant area. In the summer of 2006 the school replaced the dishwasher system that had been in place for forty years with a new thirty five thousand pound system. Towards the end of the last school year the catering team introduced the ‘Panini’ to the menu, which has and continues to be a very popular choice for those customers on the go!
All food served within the school has come under a lot of changes in recent years and Teesdale School has and continues to be at the forefront. The food served is fresh and sourced locally where possible. The school has integrated well into the local commercial sector and opens more links daily.
The success of the kitchen is recognised nationally with the school being a national case study with the ‘School Food Trust’ and also one of six school’s nationally chosen to take part in the 2007 parliamentary report on the changes in school kitchens, alongside this Nick won the Craft Guild of Chefs Cost Sector Chef of the Year Award 2007 in July 2007 and in 2008 he won Radio 4’s Food & Farming awards best Dinner Lady/Man 2008. In 2006 the school food also was commended by the Californian Raisin Company in the Healthy Canteen award and furthermore the school food service won the School Food Trusts School of The month competition in April 2008 for the way in which it engages with parents and carers. This enforces the school status as one of the top schools providing school meals to pupils.
In July 2007 most of the kitchen staff completed the City & Guilds Qualification in School Meals. All those that participated received either gained a distinction or a credit pass, which enforces the calibre of the kitchen team. This was a great achievement for the team.
Look through the other pages of the catering section and meet the catering staff, read the menus, check out the prices, tour the catering areas, check the suppliers and contact numbers.
Thank you for visiting.
