Newest Peterborough restaurant opens in a school
City's new dining outlet offers students and staff 40 daily lunch options
One of Peterborough's newest restaurant has opened - in a school. The thriving new food outlet, which was opened at Hampton College by artisan school food company Cucina Restaurants on January 5, replaced the school's traditional canteen with a team of hotel and restaurant chefs who are now preparing more than 40 separate food choices for students each school day.
According to Hampton College’s Executive Headteacher Helen Price, the impact of the new restaurant on school life has been dramatic:
"Since the restaurant opened at the start of term, there has been unbelievable excitement throughout the school and take-up rates have soared. The staff and students have been absolutely bowled over by the choices on offer. This has certainly added value to the breakfast, break and lunchtime offer here at Hampton College.”
Caroline Behan, Director of Finance and Resources at Hampton College said:
“Just 3 weeks into the contract with Cucina, I was absolutely certain that we made the right choice in their appointment. Cucina have delivered everything that was promised and have already had an impact on the life of the school.
“The quality, choice and focused customer service are second to none. We have already seen a significant increase in the number of students and staff who use the catering service and have had excellent feedback regarding the changes and improvements that have been made to the service on offer. We are looking to a long, successful partnership with the Cucina team.”
Paul Jones, Hampton College's Head of School (Primary Phase) said:
"The food is appealing as it is presented beautifully. The freshness of the ingredients is apparent in the taste of the food. Hidden vegetables help the children get their five-a-day."
The 'restaurant in a school' approach represents a radical departure from the conventional school canteen model, attracting students to a range of food that is constantly changing. Commenting on the need for continuous change, Ian Morgan, Executive Chef for Cucina Restaurants said:
"These young people go to the same place every day to eat. Unless we put effort into keeping everything fresh and revitalized, boredom could set in. This is why we will be presenting new theme days every two weeks, with good food cooked fresh in our kitchen each day."
Cucina Managing Director, Stuart Lenton said:
"Our company has pioneered the concept of opening restaurants in schools. Hampton College has food quality as a very high priority and this makes it the ideal setting for the opening of our new restaurant. The response from students of all ages to our restaurant service has been overwhelming and we are excited by the difference we are already starting to make here."
Notes for editors
* Hampton College opened in 2005 as all-through school to cater for students from Reception age up to Year 13. In 2014 it converted to Academy status and is now managed by its own educational trust Hampton Academies Trust
* In 2005, Cucina Restaurants introduced the concept of restaurants in school by installing high calibre chefs with hotel and restaurant career backgrounds to cook fresh food every day in school kitchens
* In January 2016, in recognition of its commitment to the highest standards of food quality and provenance, Cucina Restaurants was recently awarded the Soil Association’s coveted Gold Award
(Pictured: Debbie Williams,Business Services & Projects Manager, Hampton College, Chef Jamie Herbert of Cucina Restaurants, Zoe Wilkins Chef's Assistant and Ian Morgan, Executive Chef, Cucina Restaurants)
For additional information, please contact:
Doug Jenner
doug@bestwords.co.uk
07973 751 039
www.cucina.co.uk/media
@cucina_kitchen
