New term, newer normal Bringing children safely back to the classroom has been a major landmark in getting the country up and running again during the pandemic… and our school kitchen staff have led the way. Comforting aromas of sausages and mash, freshly baked bread and strawberry cheesecake have fuelled the fightback, spearheaded by our incredible teachers and cooks. So, we asked Louise Wagstaffe, Senior Culinary Advisor at Premier Foods, to give us an indication of what she thinks the start of the new September term might look like – and when you should start the all-important planning.
Can we go back to normal? By the start of the September term, schools and their communal dining areas will hopefully be very different places from the same time last year if the vaccination programme has been
successful. Hygiene, food safety and the best parts of social distancing are still likely to be front of mind for parents and will continue to dictate the way kitchens operate into the near future.
Will some changes be worth keeping?
Some creative ideas brought in by schools and catering teams have been really successful, so they may choose to tweak the way they run in the new school year. Every school is different in size and layout, so each needs a slightly different and flexible plan for the future. Make sure you build yours around the pupils and their needs, kitchen skill levels, available equipment, dining-room facilities as well as access to alternative areas and outside dining spaces. Staggered lunchtimes and reduced menus have been a big success and have helped kitchen staff spread out their service to be more efficient.
New excitement
The new school year is an exciting time for pupils, with lunchtimes being a familiar and comforting part of the day that provide the perfect chance to sit and chat with friends. While guidance on restrictions and regulations may change again before September, caterers’ priority must be to ensure a smooth re-opening and to offer children healthy, exciting and accessible meals.
Fire up the old school dinners… and add a twist!
There’s a strong argument for sticking with traditional favourites… after all, everyone talks with affection about their most-loved school dinners. Children enjoy the familiarity of a menu they can trust, and that will be even more important after more than a year of uncertainty and changes. But as the new term starts and restrictions ease, it is also the perfect opportunity to try something different in the kitchen. This can help reinforce the feeling among the children that the future looks bright.
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