Members’ News

August 2024

Edinburgh chef Roberta Hall-McCarron kicks off partnership with exclusive dinner at RBGE #

Celebrated Edinburgh-based chef, Roberta Hall-McCarron, has announced a unique partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and its catering and hospitality partner, Heritage Portfolio, a division of Sodexo Live! 

The partnership will kick-off with a dinner at the Grade B listed Caledonian Hall on 29th August. Roberta will present a five-course Mediterranean-inspired tasting menu developed exclusively for the occasion. Featuring ingredients grown in the Kitchen Garden at the RBGE, the dinner will include a herb gazpacho, ricotta agnolotti and beef sirloin with seasonal greens. Tickets for the event are on sale at https://bit.ly/dinnerinthegarden and are priced from £129 per person.   

More events are planned for Roberta at RBGE including a cooking demonstration and the presentation of a special dish created by Roberta for RBGE’s cafes. 

Roberta has recently opened her third restaurant, Ardfern, in the Scottish capital earlier this year, following-on from her success with The Little Chartroom and Eleanore. Roberta’s partnership with the RBGE, aims to highlight the quality of locally sourced and locally grown produce served in the Gateway and Terrace cafes at the RBGE, including produce grown in the RBGE’s own Kitchen Garden. 

The Kitchen Garden located within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, is a true statement of sustainability and helps to reduce food mileage. It covers over 300 square metres of land, and produces more than a tonne of crops each year; the equivalent 23 kilograms a week. This produce is then used on site in many of the dishes served by the Heritage Portfolio team. 

Roberta Hall-McCarron said: “The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Heritage Portfolio are absolutely committed to sustainable food, to the point where produce they themselves grow is harvested and delivered to their cafes daily. It’s an honour to be chosen to highlight the RBGE’s commitment to sustainable modern, Scottish seasonal food.” 

Heritage Portfolio has been providing catering, hospitality and events services at RBGE since 2007 and earlier this year extended its partnership for a further five years. The Heritage Portfolio team is dedicated to using Scottish and seasonal ingredients in its menus at the Garden. 

Adam Kennedy, Operations Director at Heritage Portfolio, said: “We’re delighted to work with Roberta at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Roberta is a celebrated and award-winning chef, and our team is looking forward to working alongside her to create more memorable food experiences for visitors.” 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading centre of excellence in plant science, conservation horticulture and education – and one of Scotland’s most famous five-star attractions. 

Heritage Portfolio, a division of Sodexo Live! is a leading provider of private and corporate hospitality for cultural destinations. Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates. In 2013, Heritage Portfolio was granted a Royal Warrant for services to catering from the late Queen Elizabeth. 

A ‘culinary adventure like no other’: Nestlé Professional 2024 Toque d'Or duo return from Switzerland #

This year’s Toque d’Or back-of-house (BOH) winner, Geraldine Sierra Torres, and front-of-house (FOH) runner-up, Emma Bancroft, have just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime culinary trip to Switzerland, where they were able to visit some of the country's most renowned restaurants and hotels, soak in some of the nation's most iconic landmarks and scenery, and delve into Nestlé's Swiss origins and culture. 
 
Firm in its commitment to supporting young hospitality talent, each year Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or helps college students bridge the gap between classroom learning and the realities of the industry. 
 
Expanding on the competition’s sustainability theme, Geraldine and Emma spent more valuable time with Nestlé’s global executive chef Emmanuel Lorieux and sustainability manager, Ana Aragon at its HQ in Vevey, in a sustainability-focused, culinary arts training session.  
 
Emmanuel Lorieux commented: “Participating in the competition and evaluating the students was an excellent experience as their creativity and energy were inspiring.  It was a pleasure welcoming the winners to our global headquarters and sharing the role of the corporate chef and the network of the chefs around the world.” 
 
And to further enhance their learning and development, the duo were offered bespoke beverage training from Nestlé Professional's Global Master Barista, Christos Sotiros and Global Beverages Commercial Manager, Harald Reitz at the Nestlé Beverage Centre in Orbe. This included learning about coffee growing and brewing processes followed by  a tasting session. 
 
Christos Sotiros commented: “During the competition, I was impressed with the creativity and quality of the competitor’s coffee drinks. It was great to see the winners and to spend some time with them to share the coffee knowledge, from farm to cup.” 
 
As well as participating in dedicated training, Geraldine and Emma were treated to memorable experiences throughout the trip, from a special tour of the Mosimann Collection at Cesar Ritz College – with Swiss chef and restaurateur Anton Mosimann – to an indulgent day of fondue and wine tasting at La Maison du Gruyère. Afterward, they embarked on a tour of Maison Cailler, a Nestlé-owned chocolate factory, to immerse themselves in the world of chocolate. 
 
Reinhold Jakobi, Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit said: “It has been an honour to be part of Toque d’Or competition and to invite the winners to Switzerland for their award trip. The students who participated in the Toque d’Or are of high quality and their passion and knowledge of the food service industry is very inspiring.” 
 
Deepening their appreciation and knowledge of the relationship between regenerative practices in farming and hospitality, Geraldine and Emma visited the ‘terraced’ vineyards of Lavaux where they learned more about the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. The next day, they toured the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, enjoying a fine-dining lunch at Berceau de Sense, one of many gastronomic experiences during the trip. This was followed by a late-afternoon boat cruise around Lake Geneva, appreciating Switzerland's natural beauty. 
 
The trip concluded with a scenic train journey on the Golden Pass Railway, transporting them from Montreux to Interlaken Ost and providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Swiss mountains. They ascended Mount Pilatus by cable car, where they enjoyed a wide array of activities, including a toboggan run, rope park, Ibex safari, mountain biking, and a cave tour, among many others. They then rounded off the adventure with a delightful meal and drinks at Restaurant Pilatus Kulm. 
 
2024 Toque d’Or BOH winner, Geraldine Sierra Torres, said: “This journey has been an incredible and fun-filled experience, exceeding all my expectations. I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity, which has not only provided me with unforgettable memories but also invaluable knowledge that will shape my future career. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this adventure possible.” 
 
2024 Toque d’Or FOH runner-up, Emma Bancroft, said: "I've had such an unforgettable adventure in Switzerland. I feel so grateful to have experienced this opportunity as the runner up. I have gained so much knowledge that will help me in my future career and I can't thank Nestlé enough for this once in a lifetime experience." 
 
Geraldine and Emma have joined other former winners and finalists in the Toque d’Or Ambassador Programme. This exclusive programme provides ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and the chance to play a lead role in other Nestlé Professional initiatives, such as the Choose Hospitality Pledge. 
 
The Choose Hospitality Pledge aims to educate secondary students about the industry’s wide range of entry-level roles and training opportunities, the breadth of roles available, as well as the many career pathways on offer.  
 
Katya Simmons, Managing Director of Nestlé Professional UK&I, said: "Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or exemplifies our commitment to supporting young hospitality talent, and every year we're proud to watch these young people grow. This year's extraordinary culinary journey through Switzerland was another moment to savour for both Gerladine and Emma, as they were able to develop their knowledge and sharpen their skills, all while soaking in the country’s amazing food, drink and culture.” 
 
For more information on Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or 2024, please click here

Bestway announces major summer campaign offering retailers smoking hot deals #

Bestway Wholesale has launched a major summer campaign offering ‘smoking hot deals’ to support its customers across its nationwide depots, and online. And as the temperature ‘hots up’, retailers can take advantage of great deals on BBQ and picnic products as the nation gets set to enjoy a big summer of sports, including the Olympics, Paralympics and Men's and Women's T20 World Cups.
 
Retailers will be greeted in depot by Bestway’s Barbecue campaign offering deals and supplier promotions across soft drinks, beers, wines, ciders, snacks and confectionery categories. As with every campaign, Bestway has prepared exciting and impactful in depot theatre, themed for the barbecue season, to help retailers navigate their shopping during the summer months.
 
The campaign is also featured online, where retailers who choose Click & Collect or delivered services will be able to find the same barbecue theme and amazing deals. For the online and digital experience, Bestway have even created their very own weather widget to help retailers prepare their shops in accordance with the predicted weather.
 
Featured on the homepage and in the apps, this responsive and real time feature offers customers weekly weather updates and logged in users can see the weather forecast for their location. The website will be dressed with a sunshine filled garden theme, with products displayed on branded coloured tablecloths highlighting hero SKUs of each participating supplier. Throughout the campaign, depots will be running competitions, prize draws and incentives to give back to customers, including ££-thousands in depot credits!
 
In collaboration with key suppliers, the summer campaign has been designed to create extraordinary visual appeal for Bestway’s 100,000 customers on their shopping journey during the summer months.
 
Offering great returns for Bestway’s supply partners, the campaign is designed to drive footfall and interest into its depots, helping retail customers to energise their own promotions.
 
On the back of a hugely successful 2023, a year where Bestway ran four seasonal campaigns, the business continues to invest in price and lead the way in creating theatre and activations to enhance the customer journey. Last year, the Summer campaign alone saw a 30% sales uplift across all categories with 25% of total visitors purchasing products.
 
Kenton Burchell, Bestway Wholesale Group Trading Director, says:
 
“We know that Bestway leads the market with best-in-class seasonal campaigns, delivering market leading prices and margins for customers. Our campaigns are focused on the key brands and first-to-market new product launches as well as exceptional theatre to create an intervention in the normal customer journey of our retailers.
 
“The summer period is a key trading period for convenience retailers, and we want to give back to both our customers and their shoppers by providing exceptional value to springboard sales in the summer months.”
 
“With Summer being one of the biggest trading moments of the year and with such a huge summer of sport on the agenda we are confident that our deals for BBQ and picnic products across beers, wines, spirits, confectionery and crisps and snacks categories are the best in the market. 
 
“These deals will also help our retailers to fulfil the demand in store for frequent tops up and spontaneous shopping trips, typically seen during the Summer months as shoppers decide on a last-minute BBQ, or picnic.”
 
Burchell concluded:
 
“We hope the campaign will encourage our retailers to make Bestway their number one choice of where to shop for their summer products. By doing so, they will be rewarded – our whole aim is help them make more profit for their business and their customers in this summer of sports”.
 
Bestway’s message remains simple and focused, promising to make customers feel special, to enjoy amazing prices with great margins to help them grow their businesses’ and help their end shoppers. 
 
To view the full details of the campaign, please visit www.bestwaywholesale.co.uk.

Sodexo and Nestlé Professional empower 250 UK school pupils through innovative partnership with the Choose Hospitality Pledge #

Nestlé Professional continues its focus on inspiring young people through its Choose Hospitality Pledge program, by partnering with Sodexo to deliver mass career workshops at Sodexo Live! venue partners, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Everton FC’s Goodison Park and Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s American Express Stadium. Alongside this, another workshop at St James' Park in Newcastle which is due to happen in the autumn term. 
  
The Choose Hospitality Pledge career workshops engaged up to 250 secondary school pupils across the three stadia locations during the summer term. 
 
The Choose Hospitality Pledge was established to help breathe new life into the sector by inspiring the next generation of talent. Its mission is to transform perceptions of the industry and ignite a passion for hospitality careers among young people, thereby fortifying the talent pipeline and addressing the projected talent deficit. 
 
Held at iconic stadiums across the UK, the workshops provided an immersive and inspiring experience for all the students. For example, students were offered the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on skills taster sessions, such as working as a team to lay banqueting tables, helping to develop good team working and communication skills. 
 
A key highlight was the inclusion of a series of panel events which brought together speakers from both Nestlé Professional and Sodexo Live! as well as industry talent from the local area. Students were able to take inspiration from hearing stories about their experiences in industry and initiate conversation with each panellist in an in-depth Q&A and gain plenty of valuable insight. 
 
At the Brighton workshop, attendees had the privilege of hearing from Steven Edwards, chef patron at Etch and winner of 2013 MasterChef the Professionals, as well as Elycia Rayner, 2023 Toque d'Or back-of-house finalist and chef de partie at Oxford University.  
 
The students also were able to hear from industry organisations such as UKHospitality, Springboard and HIT on routes into the sector, from specialist college courses and apprenticeship programmes, to direct employment. The events were divided into two breakout rooms with interactive stands, where students were able to explore various facets of the hospitality sector firsthand. 
 
Commenting on the success of the events, Katya Simmons, MD, Nestlé Professional, said: “The Choose Hospitality Pledge was established to transform perceptions of hospitality careers and address the industry's recruitment challenges. We are delighted to have collaborated with Sodexo in hosting these exclusive career workshops. 
 
"Our partnership exemplifies the collective effort of the Choose Hospitality Pledge in addressing youth employment, a critical issue facing our industry. Together, we are urging hospitality businesses to unite and collaborate, offering meaningful opportunities for the next generation. 
 
"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers and students who participated in making these events a success. Your contributions have been invaluable in inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals.” 
 
Sue Davison, Head of apprenticeships and Early Careers Talent Team, Sodexo UK & Ireland: “We are delighted that our Corporate Services and Sodexo Live! teams have been able to collaborate and support this fantastic initiative.  At Sodexo we are passionate about encouraging young talent to join the dynamic foodservice industry and through these workshops we hope to inspire the next generation.” 
 
The workshops aligned with Provider Access Legislation (PAL) and Gatsby Benchmark 5, which offered pupils the chance to have meaningful interactions with employers. 
 
To join the Choose Hospitality Pledge in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, please visit: Choose Hospitality Pledge – CareerScope – Hospitality | Leisure | Tourism. 

Bestway Retail enters new long-term partnership with SimplyFresh #

Bestway Retail, part of Bestway Wholesale, the UK’s largest independent food and drink wholesaler, has announced that it has entered a new long-term partnership with fast-growing convenience store brand, SimplyFresh.

Bestway Retail, which has been working with the premium grocery store group for the last 14 years, has signed a new agreement that accelerates its strategic partnership with SimplyFresh as part of its roadmap to offer bespoke propositions for its diverse customer base.

Jamie Davison, Retail Director at Bestway Retail, said:
“We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with SimplyFresh. We know the SimplyFresh’ retailers really value the offer and support that we provide them with and our focus will be to work closely with Kash Khera and all the SimplyFresh team to ensure that we enhance this even further."

Jamie added:
"Supporting the increased performance of the existing SimplyFresh retailers, as well as introducing new retailers and stores to the estate is our joint objective and we are very much looking forward to continuing to grow together."

Kash Khera, Creator & Co Founder of SimplyFresh, said:
"Over the past 14 years, SimplyFresh and SimplyLocal have worked closely with Costcutter and this partnership has been pivotal to our growth and success. After a thorough review of our growth strategy and future direction, we are excited to embark on a new phase of our relationship with Bestway and Costcutter.

This evolution marks a commitment to leverage the exciting opportunities through Dual Fascia branding with Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, and the multiple supply routes, further enhancing our collaborative success.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our retailers for their commitment to our brands, and Jamie Davison in particular, who we have worked with from the beginning, and the Costcutter and Bestway team for their ongoing support to the business."

Richard Barr joins TWC Group to drive 'Destination 2030’ Growth Strategy #

TWC Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Barr on a consultancy basis, joining the team to support the implementation of the company’s ambitious new growth strategy, “Destination 2030.” With a distinguished career at Unilever, where he served as Sales Director for nearly a decade, Richard brings a wealth of commercial expertise to TWC Group.

Tanya Pepin, Managing Director at TWC, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Richard Barr to TWC. His extensive experience and proven track record in sales and commercial strategy will be invaluable as we evolve our offering and pursue our Destination 2030 objectives.”

Richard Barr’s tenure at Unilever was marked by significant achievements in sales growth, market expansion, and strategic partnerships. His leadership and innovative approach to commercial management are expected to play a crucial role in TWC Group’s strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing market position and driving sustainable growth.

Commenting on this, Richard Barr, former Sales Director at Unilever, said:

“I am excited to join TWC Group and contribute to their forward-thinking growth strategy. 

Destination 2030 presents a compelling vision for the future, and I look forward to working with the talented team at TWC to achieve our goals.”

TWC Group’s Destination 2030 strategy is designed to position the company at the forefront of industry innovation, focusing on expanding its market reach, enhancing product offerings, and driving operational excellence. With Richard Barr’s expertise, TWC is well-positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Sodexo secures a five-year contract with prestigious Shrewsbury School #

Independents by Sodexo has won a five-year contract at Shrewsbury School, one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools, to provide bespoke catering services, enhancing the dining experience for both boarding and day pupils. 
 
The contract strengthens Sodexo’s commitment to delivering bespoke catering services whilst providing sustainable food choices and valued experiences in the independent education sector. This contract award demonstrates Independents by Sodexo’s capability to significantly enhance pupil and staff well-being through innovative, tailored food solutions. 
 
Independents by Sodexo will cater for over a thousand pupils and staff daily, offering breakfast, lunch and supper from August 2024. The core catering will take place in the Kingsland Hall dining facility, with a variety of other services provided across the school estate. 
 
Maylin Ware, Bursar spokesperson from Shrewsbury School added: "We are pleased to embark on this new journey with Independents by Sodexo. Their commitment to quality, sustainability and innovative culinary practices is aligned with our ethos at Shrewsbury School. We look forward to how this partnership will enhance the daily lives of our pupils and staff." 
 
With sustainability central to Sodexo’s services, it will introduce carbon labelling to its menus and through its food waste management programme WasteWatch, it will help the school and Sodexo reach their respective net zero targets, as well as working with the School’s Pupil-led Eco Committee to improve sustainability and reducing food waste.  The 44-strong catering team based in the local area will include apprenticeships also planned for the team. 
 
Simon Knight, managing director for Independents by Sodexo, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by Shrewsbury School to be their catering partner. We are aligned in our commitment to ensuring our business impacts positively on the school and its local community. The contract will enable us to provide employment and career opportunities for more than 40 people from the local area. We also plan to welcome an apprentice to the team at the school.   
 
“We look forward to partnering with Shrewsbury School from the summer to deliver a new innovative dining service which will enhance the food experiences of staff and pupils alike.” 
 
Breakfast will cater for all preferences with a wide range of nutritious items including a comprehensive ‘Grab & Go’ range mirroring contemporary breakfast options offered on the high street. Sodexo also plans to open a new Breakfast Stop at the school’s Quod Café Bar. 
 
Lunch will include new destination counters serving a range of delicious seasonal and sustainable dishes. Menus will include carbon-measured recipes and alongside traditional favourites will also feature authentic dishes from its ‘World Tour’ range, hot bowl foods and ‘sizzler’ hot top salads as well as dishes specifically developed for those participating in sports under its Powering Performance range. 
 
A regular pop-up custom kitchen will enhance the food experience for the school’s pupils and staff bringing theatre to the dining hall. 
 
Supper will see a rotating concept menu focusing on themed servery areas each evening, ensuring a diverse and engaging end-of-day meal for the school’s boarding community. 
 
Beyond regular meals, the contract includes extensive hospitality services for school events and a mobile catering solution that will add additional value by serving street food concepts and themes across the school campus and during sports and large events. 
 
Founded in 1552, Shrewsbury School has a long-standing tradition of providing outstanding education and pastoral care to its pupils.  Charles Darwin and Sir Michael Palin are some of the world-famous Old Salopians (alumni) of the school. 

jellybean Reveal their Top 25 Food & Drink Influencers #

This summer sees multi-award-winning food and drink agency, jellybean release their inaugural Top 25 Food and Drink Influencers Report. The report highlights the rising stars across the food and drink scene from cooking at home, and eating out to vegan, drinks, and chef influencers. Available now, the report can be requested via the jellybean website https://www.jellybeancreative.co.uk/top-25-foodie-influencers-report/.
 
With influencer marketing becoming an established part of the marketing mix the report is a valuable guide to anyone planning their next campaign. With a deep dive into the food and drink influencers that are coming up through the ranks, it includes a fascinating look into the rising stars’ lives and careers, recent endeavours and collaborations. There’s also practical advice and insider knowledge on future trends, what it is that makes their content so ‘sticky’ and how to be the dream brand collaborator from the people who know!
 
Susan Wickes, jellybean MD commented: “The Top 25 Food and Drink Influencers Report has been created using our SENSE social listening platform along with our social beans’ in-depth knowledge, we’ve selected and spoken with influencers who are making waves across five key areas - cooking at home, eating out, vegan, drinks and of course professional chefs.
 
As the leading food and drink agency with specialist foodservice and consumer/retail divisions, we truly understand the value of influencer marketing. Done right - and working with the right agency partner - it can help your brand fly and we hope food and drink businesses find the report a valuable tool whether their focus is B2C or B2B”.
 
To learn more and request your Top 25 Food and Drink Influencers Report visit  https://www.jellybeancreative.co.uk/top-25-foodie-influencers-report/  today.  Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram by following the hashtag #Top25FoodAndDrinkInfluencers.
 
For more information on jellybean email info@jellybeancreative.co.uk or visit www.jellybeancreative.co.uk

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail are thrilled to announce that the Inclusion Summit is back and this year will be the biggest ever! #

Join 700+ peers from across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail industry to explore the crucial theme: "Measuring the Business Impact of Inclusion" on Tuesday 5th November, at the spectacular Indigo at the O2.

Understanding the tangible benefits of inclusion in your business is not just necessary, it's imperative for driving growth and fostering sustainable working environments.

Why attend?

Insightful keynotes: Hear from industry pioneers and thought leaders who are shaping the future of inclusion and making tangible impact

Actionable strategies: Take away robust strategies that demonstrate the positive impact of inclusion on business outcomes

Networking opportunities: Connect with peers and experts who are equally passionate about making a difference during the "Festival of Inclusion"

The jam-packed agenda will cover topics such as Profit with Purpose: The EDI Advantage, Measuring Inclusion: Higher Profits and Happier People and Empowering Teams for Success Through Inclusion.

Speakers include industry leaders and EDI experts such as Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsbury’s, Kirstie Loveridge, EVP People & Culture at AEG and Keynote Speaker Paolo Gaudiano, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Aleria

For more details about the event and to secure tickets visit www.inclusion-summit.com.  Your exclusive code is 'Inclusionsummitarena' which will reveal a special offer ticket price of £250+VAT.

The Inclusion Summit is more than an event; it's a catalyst for change. Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, or an advocate for change, you will find valuable, actionable content tailored just for you.

Alliance in Partnership win over £8 million in new business #

Alliance in Partnership (AiP), specialists in education catering, has secured £8.2 million in new contracts since the beginning of the academic year. This significant milestone highlights AiP's commitment to growing their partnerships with multi-academy trusts across the Midlands, London, and the South East. 
 
Dedicated to delivering healthy and nutritious food, AiP enhances the school dining experience for over 400 primary and secondary schools, helping to fuel school children and students through a day of learning. The new and retained contracts encompass 42 schools, including: 
 
Our Lady of the Magnificat MAC in Leamington Spa, expanding from six to 12 schools.  

Maritime Academy Trust in Kent and London, extending from five to 11 schools. 

Five schools within Holy Spirit MAC in Warwickshire. 

Seven schools within the Stour Vale Academy Trust in Dudley. 

Three schools within Every Child Every Day Academy Trust in London and Surrey.  

Three schools with Elements Diocesan Learning Trust in Dudley.  

The Excel Academy in Stoke-on-Trent.  

AiP collaborates with expert nutritionists to create balanced, nourishing meals that exceed Government School Food Standards. Their innovative approach includes chef-delivered sugar swap classes and initiatives to inspire healthy eating throughout the academic year. 
 
For primary school pupils, AiP's Food Smart offering provides freshly prepared meals, such as roasted tomato & basil pasta, Mexican loaded beans, and garlic and lemon chicken, prepared by a dedicated catering team that surpass nutritional standards, served in a welcoming, friendly environment. 
 
In secondary schools, Kitcheneers reimagines school food and dining spaces, becoming a focal point for school communities. The Kitcheneers’ menu features crowd-pleasers including katsu curry, peri peri chicken, and chipotle vegetable & bean rice bowl with healthy twists, customisable options, and a blend of on-the-go and traditional meals.  
 
With a focus on sustainability, AiP’s menus utilise local suppliers, seasonal produce, and wonky vegetables. 
 
Additionally, Sodexo's WasteWatch programme, implemented across all AiP contracts, helps manage kitchen waste by identifying efficiencies and making data-driven menu choices.
 
Steve Hawkins, managing director for schools at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “The AiP team has built on last year's achievements and enjoyed an exceptional year. School meals play a crucial role in the school day, and we recognise the significance of providing children with tasty, nutritious lunches. AiP's robust partnerships with schools have grown significantly, and we are thrilled to see an increasing number of schools selecting AiP as their meal provider." 
 
Established in 1998, the AiP group of companies, including The Contract Dining Company and Class Catering Services joined Sodexo in December 2018.