National independent catering company, Catering Academy has won a five year contract with Synergy consortium, a group of 10 primary schools based in Coventry. The contract, worth £3.75 million, was won after a competitive tender process which featured eight other companies bidding for the business.
Catering Academy impressed Synergy consortium with a bespoke yet realistic approach to improving the current standards of food and team investment, as well as driving new innovation into each school within the group.
Team Academy also demonstrated its capabilities to deliver on the government’s new Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) initiative, which is due to be implemented from September 2014.
Team Academy’s Group Development Chef Manager, Kelly Brown, will personally oversee standards, innovation and quality of the food produced across the sites.
First contract of its kind for Catering Academy
The win of a Synergy of schools is a first of its kind for the award-winning contract caterer, which aims to bring fresh food and craft cookery skills to the consortium, which includes Pearl Hyde Primary School and Richard Lee Primary School.
The contract began in June 2014 and mobilised each of the 10 schools in the same week, and is now producing 1,500 meals a day as part of the new contract. The schools involved have already reported that the children are enjoying the fresh food and there has been a significant improvement in their behaviour due to the new and improved school dinner menu provided. There has also been an increased uptake of school dinners, prior to the implementation of the UIFSM, with a 30 per cent increase on pupil meals being produced.
Commenting on the new contract win, Louise Wymer, Founder Director at Catering Academy, said:
“The Synergy consortium signifies the break into a new market for Catering Academy and it’s inspiring to know our reputation for service excellence within the education sector has resulted in such a prestigious contract win.
“We’re delighted with the feedback we’ve received so far and look forward to building on the tailored, high quality offering throughout the consortium over the next five years.”
To find out more about Catering Academy please visit the website, www.catering-academy.co.uk or follow @CateringAcademy on Twitter.