Eat Them To Defeat Them announces winner of Caterers’ Challenge
The winning team were selected based on their creativity, enthusiasm and commitment to encouraging children to try more veg. The overall winner received £500 and the five highly commended entries each winning £250 included:
- Gemma Allen and team (Taylor Shaw Caterers) - Stephenson Way Academy and Nursery, County Durham.
- Karen Ross and team (HC3S caterers) - Endeavour Primary school, Andover.
- Melinda Perry and team (HCL caterers) - Peartree Spring Primary School, Hertfordshire.
- Stacey Morgan and team (Bridgend County Borough Council) - Ffaldau Primary School, Wales.
- Teresa Keenan and team (Education Authority Northern Ireland) - Holy Child Primary School, Northern Ireland.
Commenting on her school catering team’s success, Lesley Ann Box head teacher at St Mary's RCVA School said: "From day one of the Eat Them To Defeat Them campaign, the drive, enthusiasm and excitement from our catering team was infectious!
“Children, and staff looked forward to the daily displays and tasting tables but for me what really stood out was how the kitchen engaged the children and got them involved. Through their creative ideas and encouraging manner, the children from Reception to Year 6 were making healthy choices and trying new foods."
The Caterers’ Challenge was held as part of the Eat Them To Defeat Them schools programme in which 500,000 children from 1,900 schools were involved.
Dan Parker, chief executive of Veg Power, commented: “Once again the school catering teams have exceeded our expectations with over 150 entries. Their creativity and enthusiasm in support of our campaign is truly amazing and all of the catering teams in every school should be extremely proud of the pivotal role they play in encouraging kids to eat more veg.”