Canteen update: more veggie options and shorter queues

The South Kensington canteen plans to improve its vegetarian offering and resolve inconsistent waiting times, building on the return of its full menu for the new school year after two years of disruption.

« We started the year cautiously as we didn’t want to risk trying too many fancy things before we got to grips with the new equipment and gave some recently-hired staff time to train up. But now we’ll be building up speed. »

Nicolas Meunier, head of the canteen, told the October 6 Commission des Menus

The Commission des Menus, which is chaired by the Lycée finance department and also includes the school doctor as well as kitchen staff and pupil and parent representatives, is the termly meeting that sets menus and gathers feedback. The canteen will also resume serving soup after half term.

The kitchen and canteen, long a source of pride for the school, have been a centre of discussion recently. A major €2 million refurbishment of the cooking facilities overran by more than a year. In the meantime the school served a more limited selection of dishes and couldn’t prepare staples like fresh fish, freshly baked bread or deep-fried food, as meals had to be pre-cooked and ferried in daily from kitchens in south London.

The long-awaited return of the on-site kitchen was celebrated with the traditional “American Day”, a favourite among students, featuring fries and, for those who wished, a small serving of Coca-Cola, a drink that is not normally offered on the menu.

What’s changing

A better vegetarian offering

Parental feedback, based on chats with their kids, suggests the vegetarian options can improve. The lentil-based vegetarian lasagne in particular often draws criticism from young foodies.

“We’re trying to perfect that one,” said Meunier. The school is also considering ways to bring back beef lasagne, a big pupil favourite, though like many ideas this requires solving a puzzle of ingredients, procurement channels and budget.

Vegetarian Day, Wednesdays. From November, Wednesdays will serve two main dishes so all kids have a choice, except on days when the only dish is almost universally liked, such as some pasta dishes and pizza.

Shorter, steadier queues

Teething issues with the new system in the first fortnight of term led to longer waits than usual on some occasions, as well as supply issues. Classes’ serving times have now been rebalanced to encourage a more consistent flow through the serving queues, though there may still be waits at busy times.

Your questions, answered

While overall feedback has been good, the canteen responded to a number of individual points raised by parents.

Dishes running out

With waste management a priority this year, the end of service will sometimes have fewer options than the start, so kids are encouraged to come in as early as possible. The school said there have been incidents of pupils preferring to play football in the playground before eating, then arriving too late.

Allergens

Children with allergies should queue at Line 1, and staff will direct them there. Gluten-free options, including pasta and pizza, are provided every day. The canteen will look into gluten-free bread, but only if demand is really there, as it goes off very fast. The school doctor, who was present, noted that rice or the gluten-free pasta already on offer make a good substitute anyway.

Bread and portions

Kids can always help themselves to more sides or fruit, but amounts are set by guidelines the canteen has to follow. A second piece of bread is off the table: current pieces are 60g each against a recommended 50g, and the school doctor steps in if portions go too far over. Portions are measured using the French GMC-RCM guidelines..

Food being too dry

Sauces, gravy and dressings are now kept separate this year, so children add them themselves. Anyone who can’t find or see them should ask staff.

Food being too cold

Temperature is an important part of food health and safety, so it’s measured at the serving station very regularly. If food is lukewarm, M. Meunier said, it has most likely spent too long on the pupil’s plate before being eaten.

« Mauvaise humeur » parfois du personnel

Staff need to accommodate a large number of children within a 90-minute lunch period, and the environment is currently quite noisy as the new equipment and facilities are still being fully integrated. This can occasionally have an impact on the atmosphere. The canteen team is working to improve the dining environment, Mr Meunier added.

About the canteen

The cantine, which is compulsory for all primary school pupils, is run along French lines. In the French education system, lunch is viewed as an extension of the curriculum,and school catering follows guidelines set by the French education ministry..