A school’s innovative catering department narrowly missed out on winning a coveted award after being shortlisted from entries nationwide.
The hardworking team at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls was ‘Commended’ at the Education Business Awards 2016 during a glamorous awards ceremony yesterday.
Karen Wood, Catering Manager at HMSG, said: “It was so exciting to be shortlisted; I had to stop myself from literally jumping up and down.
“I think we were chosen because of the enthusiasm and passion that I have for this department, along with the recycling we do.”
Recently, Karen’s team has become involved with ReFood, a company which turns HMSG’s food waste into energy.
In her Education Business Awards application, she wrote: “The catering department is very committed to recycling and environmental issues. We recycle all of our waste products, including all of our food waste.
“And, along with the School’s eco group, we find different ways to spread the message and encourage other girls and staff members to consider the food that they are wasting.
“HMSG’s catering team has a strong customer care ethos and offers help and advice, especially amongst the youngest girls, to encourage healthy and balanced food choices.”
Regular meetings are held with the girls via the food forum group, formed of a representative from each year group. During the meetings, catering is discussed with the catering manager, the girls talk about their likes and dislikes and take the opportunity to influence our food and the menus.
Karen described HMSG’s delicious meals as “globally traditional with modern twists” in her award entry.
She added: “We try to make our menus interesting and exciting, both visually and taste-wise. It is crucial for our dishes to appeal to a diverse range of ages and nationalities and to suit a variety of dietary requirements.
“We have gone from strength to strength, constantly moving our menu ideas forward to create interest and improve upon already popular meals. Our food is influenced by many different experiences, such as travelling abroad and eating in high street restaurants. But occasionally ideas come to life straight from our imagination.
“Because of the variety and quality of the food, along with the hard work we put in, the girls get excellent value for money. As well as our main courses, which include vegetarian and vegan food, our daily offer includes freshly made soup, a cheese board, hot and cold desserts and our ever-popular salad bar which goes far beyond lettuce, tomato and cucumber.”
