College dining out on improvement success
Warwickshire County Council has won an award for the way they have improved meals at Southam College.
The council’s County Caterers division won the Business Building category at the prestigious Blakemore Food Service Awards 2006.
The award reflected the way that a number of improvements had been implemented in partnership with Southam College as part of a five year plan.
A new style of servery was introduced to the dining area as part of the changes, in 2004, and the school forum was invited to take part in blind tasting sessions.
Steadily, queues for food were cut and the dining room was refurbished to become a more attractive place for students to eat.
A cashless system was introduced last year and furniture replaced. Students were surveyed to see what food they wanted to eat and healthy options were introduced. A number of tasting sessions were also arranged for parents and prospective parents at open evenings.
Sandra Russell, Catering Manager at Warwickshire County Council, said: "I am thrilled that the hard work and efforts of our catering team, linked with the positive involvement of management from Southam College, have been recognised by this award. It is good to reflect on some success stories within the secondary school sector of the meals service."