Lunchtime Meals – Geoffrey Harrison Article

This is the copy from a recent article commissioned for Catering Manager magazine, written by Harrison Catering founder and MD Geoffrey Harrison.

“At Harrison Catering Services we always work hard to create quick and easy lunchtime ideas that are in compliance with nutritional standards, whilst still providing pupils with a wide range of delicious, healthy choices. We work on a simple premise that revolves around great food made from fresh ingredients prepared by trained cooks – because we know that fresh food tastes better.

“In order to fulfil our high standards and targets, Harrison Catering work hand in hand with each individual school to make sure they are given the opportunity to personalise their menus and input their ideas. This helps to create interesting and appealing lunch menus that are cost-effective, nutritious and easy to prepare on site. Furthermore, we have created kids taste panels to ensure that all of our menus are child friendly and will be eaten, rather than left behind and thrown away – simple logic tells us that nutritional value only counts if the food is eaten!

“Harrison Catering has also developed a system to help increase school meal uptake, where children can collect points every time they eat lunch.  Points are awarded on a sliding scale depending on how healthy their meal choice is – the healthier their lunch, the more points they accumulate and the bigger the prize they win.  So far we’ve given away Mountain bikes, pony-riding lessons and local gym memberships to name but a few.

“At the beginning of each academic year, we introduce our new menus to the schools and launch new concepts in order to add variety to the dishes that we serve. Across certain schools, we have recently launched a number of new initiatives to add variety to their menus.

“‘One pot’ dishes are one introduction for 2010, a simple and delicious way to provide all the nutrients of a healthy meal. Consisting usually of meat and a variety of vegetables, ‘one pot’ dishes are especially popular in the cooler months; a firm favourite is Braised Lamb with Vegetables and Mint Pesto, as it is packed full of an exciting mixture of ingredients and tastes fabulous.

“To encourage pupils to try different ingredients and styles of cooking, noodle bars have been established in certain schools, serving a variety of Asian influenced noodle dishes. Another initiative being introduced at one of our schools is a proper ‘deli’ bar, offering a wide selection of quick and easy lunchtime meals. The range includes freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, rolls, bagels, salad bowls and a quality ‘bean-to-cup’ coffee offer. All of these initiatives will allow pupils to choose exactly what they want from the variety of freshly-made food that Harrison Catering prepare on site on a daily basis.

“With children’s eating habits and nutritional concerns being at the forefront of the media’s attention, Harrison Catering continues to be a strong leader within this sector and we continually strive to improve our school meal offer in order to provide an excellent, high-quality service for each client.”

Posted by Giles Cooper