School catering firm, Cucina Restaurants has opened a new food outlet at Denbigh School, Milton Keynes, replacing the traditional canteen.
The team of hotel and restaurant chefs prepare over 40 separate food choices for students at the secondary academy school each school day.
Impressed with the varied and healthy food choices Cucina is offering to students and staff, Denbigh School Headteacher, Andy Squires said, “The restaurant has already made a difference in a few short weeks with a demonstrable surge in enthusiasm for school meals.
“A particular favourite with our older students and staff is the new Italian style coffee shop, which offers lighter bites and hot beverages throughout the day.”
These thoughts were echoed by Denbigh School’s Business Manager Sylvia Bebbington, who added, “There is now a fantastic choice of food available, with a balanced menu offering a range of options. The impact of Cucina Restaurants joining Denbigh School has been tremendous, with students and staff excited to see what fresh and nutritious home style cooking is on offer to them each day.”
The ‘restaurant in a school’ approach represents a radical departure from the conventional school canteen model, attracting students to a range of food that is constantly changing.
Andy Wilcock, Executive Chef for Cucina Restaurants, said, “It is our duty to make sure that the dining area where students go almost every day of their school lives is attractive and appealing, with a fresh and varied food offering, otherwise boredom would soon set in. This is why we present different theme days each fortnight, and why we consult with our customers so closely, to prepare and present new, wholesome, healthy dishes that they like to eat.”
Cucina Managing Director, Stuart Lenton, said, “Our company has pioneered the concept of opening restaurants in schools. Denbigh School puts ‘food quality’ very high on its list of priorities, making it an ideal choice for the opening of a new Cucina restaurant. The response to our restaurant service from students and staff has been overwhelming and we’re very excited to be working in partnership with Denbigh School in this way.”