Wealden Times | WT163 | September 2015 | Education supplement inside

WT Education Supplement Sponsored by
WT Supplement
What’s Cooking?
We go behind the scenes at school catering departments to
find out what they’re dishing up for Wealden pupils...
Dee McConkey, the acting Head
of Pre-Prep, The Junior King’s
School Canterbury (pictured above)
Can you talk us through a typical lunchtime
meal? A typical lunch may be roast beef,
Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and
buttered cabbage, carrots and peas with a
vegetarian option of stuffed peppers. There
will always be a pasta and homemade sauce
option with warm garlic bread and salad.
Pudding may be homemade apricot crumble
and cream. To finish, children are offered
a wide selection, often of ten or more, of
different fruits – everything from mandarin
to mango and plum to passion fruit.
Are snacks/drinks offered throughout the
day? Children are encouraged to drink
water throughout the day at whatever
time they so wish. We have ‘Snack Time’
just after a play which consists of a glass
of milk or water and a prepared piece of
fruit. Again in the afternoon the children
will enjoy another snack of water and a
biscuit. Children who engage in after school
activities and clubs are offered ‘Tea’. This
will consist of a drink, a platter of assorted
sandwiches, fruit and homemade cake.
How do you maintain a healthy balance
of food? As part of their class learning,
children are taught ‘how to keep
themselves healthy’. This includes making
healthy choices with their food options.
We believe that what is on offer is well
balanced and therefore provides a good
model for the children to follow.
How do you approach fussy eaters?
Occasionally, we are presented with a
suggested ‘fussy eater’. I am delighted
to say that within the shortest space of
time this ‘fussy eater’ is returned to the
parent filled with excitement and zest
for new tastes and dishes to try out at
home! It really is virtually impossible
to not find something that will appeal
from that huge variety on offer.
What has proved to be the most popular
dish amongst the children? Undoubtedly,
the favourite dish has to be ‘Fish
and Chip Friday’. In addition to the
regular fish fingers and chips, scampi or
salmon there will be additional options
of risotto or perhaps cannelloni.
Additionally, I must add that all
allergy sufferers share in this wide
selection, as ingredients suitable for
those with restricted diets are sourced
with each individual in mind.
Children can start at Junior King’s
Nursery and Pre-Prep in Sturry from
age three. To find out more, call 01227
714000 or see www.junior-kings.co.uk.
Stef Parnell, Catering
Manager, Holmewood
House School (pictured below)
Can you talk us through a
typical lunchtime meal?
Every day we offer: a healthy, traditional
main course meal using fresh seasonal
ingredients; homemade soup and rolls; a
freshly prepared salad bar with a choice
of protein; pasta or baked potatoes with
a choice of fillings; homemade yoghurts,
fresh fruit and a traditional dessert.
Are snacks/drinks offered throughout
the day; if so, what?
We serve drinks and biscuits during
morning break. The Pre-Prep are offered
cheese and biscuits or breadsticks. Lots
of fresh fruit is always on offer. The
older children have an afternoon snack
of homemade biscuits or cakes or a
savoury snack (cheese on toast, pizza etc.)
before settling down to do their prep.
How do you maintain a
healthy balance of food?
We always use fresh produce and add extra
healthy ingredients e.g. we add pulses to
a Bolognese sauce and wholegrain flour
might be used in a crumble. There is a
lot of choice, so with proper training,
encouragement and adult supervision,
the children will mostly choose a healthy
combination of food for themselves.
Do you still have issues with fussy
eaters? How is this overcome?
We can cater for all alternative dietary
requirements but we ensure these are for
faith or medical reasons not because, “I
don’t like that”! There are inevitably some
15 www.wealdentimes.co.uk