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Now, at Enterprise and Skills we get around. By visiting nearly 200 hundred schools in an academic year, we know a bit about what makes a good school - a GOOD school; and more importantly, what makes a good school dinner - A GOOD SCHOOL DINNER! Jamie Oliver, say what you want, has done a lot to influence what happens in that canteen and what guests get fed. A lot of folks might say Jamie has made all the menus the same - HEALTHY! Au contraire...I think he has helped to shine a collective light on the good cooks who can goodly cook, and the great pretenders who used to re-form turkey twizzlers into a thigh and cover everything with custard and/or mustard whilst excusing themselves with getting the most bang for what used to be a decent breast! Enough of that, here is the list: 6) Chilli at Milton Abbey School - Fantastic! Now, the students and teachers alike described the experience that awaited me and Sue as a potential fiasco... it only set me up for being wowed in the end to an extreme! But, even better than the chilli, was the often overlooked Rice that makes its way to a plate. Nice accompaniments as well. Fresh bread, yogurt, salad, mmmm. 5) Pasta King! No doubt about it- great selection, almost fresh, once the canteen staff have gotten the hang of proper drainage, this is a veritable feast. Topped with cheese if they allow it and you are well on your way to a portable palate pleaser. 4) Highcliffe School's Mexican Bean Bake - Self explanatory really....but an innovative approach to an old dish that will pull you out of the deepest of funks. Complete with Mashed-Potato style top with lightly browned and deliciously melted cheddar cheese...get in there! 3) Calthorpe Park School's Variation on Sandwiches in A# - We have seen every triangular sandwich combination under the sun and to be honest it looks as if some have been left out for days under a scorching, drying, squashing, life-squelching yellow ball! So, when Calthorpe Park School offered traditional sandwich fillings nestled into a baguette, how could I keep them off this list. Fresh baguette meets Chicken Tikka style filling (traditional? it is now)...need I say more. 2) Toast at Break on Tuesday or Thursday at Rossmore School, Poole - I know this is not necessarily a School Lunch or a Canteen delight, but read on and you will petitioning your Headteacher for the bready stuff. When upper management of Rossmore School wanted to promote staff interaction during break time they purchased a couple of toasters and some spreads, recruited some delightfully charming senior members of the community and toast and tea at break was born. You can literally be stampeded in this staff room. History teachers, who some teachers forgot worked there, grab plates, empty a tub of marmite and socialise now, maybe trading classroom management tips, whereas Before Toast (aka B.T. at Rossmore), they simply went hungry for the staple and the company. 1) Parkstone Grammar School for Girls - Anything that you get at this sectioned off area for staff is brilliant! Queue up and order from their menu, then watch, as they customise an omelette to your liking - ham, cheese, tomato, onion, pepper- you name it, it's in there, if you want it to be! Sit in the luxurious dining area (for staff only, did I mention?) and use the finest in stainless steel cutlery, that's right - real forks and knives! A serviette is also provided for any clumsy bobbles. A water jug also features on each of the STAFF tables. Have a fresh salad, while you chat to a colleague until the moment that beautiful omelette comes in for a landing. Friday is chip day and booking is essential.... I would love to hear about your canteen experiences and innovations. If you think your canteen is deserving of an enterprising mention...let me know... ken@enterpriseandskills.co.uk
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