Warwickshire News Mine

The annual campaign to promote school meals is being supported by Warwickshire County Council’s caterers who provide meals to the majority of primary schools in the county.

The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘get involved’, and the County Caterers are using resources from national website http://www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk to engage youngsters in activities such as voting for and cooking their favourite meals, and thanking their school chefs.

Leading up to the week pupils will be logging on to the website to choose between dishes like lasagne and stir fry for main course, and cheesecake and fruit salad for desert. The nation’s most popular courses will be announced during the week.

Pupils at St Paul’s Primary School in Nuneaton have already voted for their favourite meals which will be served up on Wednesday 11 Nov. Top of the food charts were roast dinners, pizza and chocolate sponge and custard so and students will be tucking into these treats.

For the week itself, Tuesday 10 November will see the county’s schools ‘get cooking’ and enjoying award winning lunch menu from Warwickshire’s own School Chef of the Year Sarah Chetwynd. The special spread features dishes such as Chicken Romola (chicken and tomato pasta) and Italian lemon mousse with strawberries.

Talking about the inspiration for her menu Sarah, who is a cook supervisor at Glendale Infant School said: “The menu was created as a tribute to George Eliot and references her novel Romola which is set in Italy. Italian food is always a popular choice for pupils and George Eliot came from Nuneaton so I felt it was a perfect choice.

“It’s really exciting to know that my menu will be served in all schools at the same time next week – I hope everyone will enjoy it!”

On Friday 13 November to round off the week, pupils will ‘get thanking’ by making cards and presenting them to the people that cook their meals. Lindsay Higgins, Development Manager for Warwickshire County Caterers explained why she is supporting this idea, she said. “Our kitchen staff work tirelessly to prepare fresh, nutritious and delicious food for pupils to enjoy and truly deserve this recognition for the hard work they do.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families added: “This countywide celebration of school meals is a great way to raise awareness. The activities on offer during the week help to teach children about where their food comes from and to appreciate the people who work hard to prepare it for them every day.”

For more information please visit the Warwickshire County Council school meals website http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolmeals

To find out more about National School Meals Week please visit http://www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk

Link to WCC