New kitchen for Old Road School
Healthy meals, cooked on the premises, are on the menu at Llanelli’s Old Road School.
Officially opened last week, the school now boasts its own production kitchen, so that children are now able to enjoy their meals fresh from the hotplate.
Previously, school meals were cooked off the premises and transported in hot-food containers.
Whilst food remained hot and fresh, it was felt an investment at the school canteen would provide the best alternative.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service invested in this school with some funding from the Welsh Assembly government to provide a fully-functional production kitchen employing four staff.
The dining hall also underwent a revamp, with new flooring and re-painted walls to make it a bright and inviting place for children to eat.
Sandra Weigel, Catering Service manager, said: “Prior to our investment at Old Road, we had school meals delivered every day from another production kitchen. Whilst we could ensure the food was hot and fresh, the presentation of the food could sometimes be affected by the transportation.
“The school had enough room to accommodate a full kitchen, and we have been able to create an inviting dining hall with enough space to fulfil regulations. The lunchtime experience is now far more appealing and attractive, which we hope will encourage more children to enjoy school meals.
“Research has shown that improving the meal experience can lead to positive social behaviour, with happier and calmer children, and better behaviour in the classroom after lunch. It makes a positive contribution to the health of the children, and also supports an increased take up of free school meals.”
Parents were invited in to see the new kitchen and dining hall during a recent coffee morning, and children have held special assemblies to promote the kitchen and the importance of a healthy, balanced diet.
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, executive board member for education and children’s services, said: “Catering for our children in Carmarthenshire has always been innovative and high on our agenda, and this new facility clearly shows the hard work and dedication by all our staff involved.
“There has never been a truer saying than 'you are what you eat' - our children deserve the very best, and from what I have seen at Old Road School, with the calibre of staff and equipment, they certainly are having the very best.”
Pictured at the opening of the new production kitchen at Old Road School, Llanelli, is executive board member for education and children’s services, Cllr Gwynne Wooldrige, and cook in charge Gloria Harries, with pupils. Also pictured is Cllr Huw Lewis, Cllr Kenneth Rees, catering service manager Sandra Weigel, area catering manager Delma Beynon, training officer Alison Morris, marketing manager Helen Bailey and deputy head teacher Karen Woodfield. Pic Jeff Connell
Officially opened last week, the school now boasts its own production kitchen, so that children are now able to enjoy their meals fresh from the hotplate.
Previously, school meals were cooked off the premises and transported in hot-food containers.
Whilst food remained hot and fresh, it was felt an investment at the school canteen would provide the best alternative.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service invested in this school with some funding from the Welsh Assembly government to provide a fully-functional production kitchen employing four staff.
The dining hall also underwent a revamp, with new flooring and re-painted walls to make it a bright and inviting place for children to eat.
Sandra Weigel, Catering Service manager, said: “Prior to our investment at Old Road, we had school meals delivered every day from another production kitchen. Whilst we could ensure the food was hot and fresh, the presentation of the food could sometimes be affected by the transportation.
“The school had enough room to accommodate a full kitchen, and we have been able to create an inviting dining hall with enough space to fulfil regulations. The lunchtime experience is now far more appealing and attractive, which we hope will encourage more children to enjoy school meals.
“Research has shown that improving the meal experience can lead to positive social behaviour, with happier and calmer children, and better behaviour in the classroom after lunch. It makes a positive contribution to the health of the children, and also supports an increased take up of free school meals.”
Parents were invited in to see the new kitchen and dining hall during a recent coffee morning, and children have held special assemblies to promote the kitchen and the importance of a healthy, balanced diet.
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, executive board member for education and children’s services, said: “Catering for our children in Carmarthenshire has always been innovative and high on our agenda, and this new facility clearly shows the hard work and dedication by all our staff involved.
“There has never been a truer saying than 'you are what you eat' - our children deserve the very best, and from what I have seen at Old Road School, with the calibre of staff and equipment, they certainly are having the very best.”
Pictured at the opening of the new production kitchen at Old Road School, Llanelli, is executive board member for education and children’s services, Cllr Gwynne Wooldrige, and cook in charge Gloria Harries, with pupils. Also pictured is Cllr Huw Lewis, Cllr Kenneth Rees, catering service manager Sandra Weigel, area catering manager Delma Beynon, training officer Alison Morris, marketing manager Helen Bailey and deputy head teacher Karen Woodfield. Pic Jeff Connell
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