A Preston college's new-improved lunch offer is “outstanding” says The Times

28th June 2010, 4:25pm

The Times Educational Supplements schools awards recognised the achievements of a college team in Preston when it gave them the Outstanding School Dinners award for its new restaurant and catering service.

The annual awards, which celebrate and reward teams making outstanding contributions to schools throughout the UK, gave Corpus Christi Catholic Sports College in Preston the accolade for their success in overhauling their lunch offer – a move which has seen lunch numbers rise from 20% to 80% in the last two years.

The three-strong group of staff 'team-leaders' who pooled together their individual expertise in realising the renovations were head teacher Martin Callagher, head chef Chris Callagher and business development director Cath Wallace. Each contributed to the makeover, which included the remodeling of the college's old gym into a restaurant called Il Cenacolo.

Designed to provide restaurant-style food in a relaxing and inviting environment it includes a buffet catering service to the local community and next year aims to provide lunches for local feeder primary schools.

The chief executive of The School Trust, supporters of the award, Judy Hargadon said: "The team has transformed lunchtime – proof that treating students as customers and making the dining room a place where they want to spend time are among the most important things a school can do to increase its lunch numbers. A good lunchtime isn't just good for students' health – it also improves their performance."

And Martin Callagher agreed that the changes had brought a marked improvement to the behaviour of school children adding: "After eating in Il Cenacolo they arrive into afternoon lessons much calmer. You can see a noticeable difference after they have eaten a good lunch."

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