A secondary school that prides itself on giving its pupils only the best food has scooped up a national catering award.
Downham Market Academy won the award of Education Team of the Year from the Public Sector Catering Awards.
Members of the catering team at the school, Karen Williamson and Hayley Ess, attended the ceremony during the school Easter holidays.
The award comes after head chef Jason Woolett and senior catering assistant Ali Woolett were appointed in September 2022.
Since then the team has expanded, adding a further two assistants - Chris Heys and Angela Martin.
Head teacher Mark Eastwood said: “Jason and Ali have considerable experience in running busy kitchens in the military and their high standards, new ideas and customer-focused philosophy have seen the dining experience at Downham Market Academy improve beyond recognition.”
All meals are prepared on-site using fresh ingredients from local suppliers where possible - including using a nearby butcher.
Mr Eastwood added: “I am beyond proud of what the team has accomplished and the award is just recognition of all their hard work and dedication to provide nutritious and tasty food to our students and staff.
“Jason meets with student representatives formally for feedback on the menu and he prepares sample dishes for them to try before they are added to the menu.
“Jason likes to interact with the students and gain their ideas on what to offer each day and the menu is adapted accordingly.”
The catering team now welcomes both GCSE students and College of West Anglia students into the kitchen for work experience
Jason also provides demonstrations and masterclasses on food preparation and running a successful kitchen to our students as part of their course.
As well as supplying food for vending machines, the catering team also prepare a treat for staff as part of the school’s “wellbeing Wednesday” - these are paid for by the school.
The team also prepare a choice of hot or cold meals for staff before parents’ evenings and other events that run after school, again paid for by the school.
Mr Eastwood said: “The catering team have excelled in preparing bespoke meals for various events for both students and staff that include the Year 11 prom, staff Christmas meal and Easter ‘Mad Hatters tea party’ celebratory meals.”
