1. How big is the school food market?
The school food market is rapidly expanding, with growing demands for various meal provisions, including extended free school meals beyond primary schools and additional wrap-around care services such as breakfast and after school provisions. To meet this increasing demand while ensuring consistent, healthy, and nutritious results. School caterers should consider upgrading to intelligent, multifunctional catering equipment.
2. What foods sell best?
Award-winning chef, previous LACA School Chef of the Year, TikTok user, Holly Charnock has embraced the latest multifunctional technology with the Rational iVario advanced multifunctional bratt pan and iCombi Pro combi-steamer at Woodlands Primary School. These additions have transformed how the kitchen functions and have resulted in the creation of healthy dishes for the pupils.
Holly opted for a Rational iCombi Pro 10-1/1 and iVario Pro 2-S with two pans, saving significant space and taking advantage of accelerated cooking times. The 3-week rotational menu caters to 240 children and has proved popular. “The kids have definitely noticed the improvements. We’re able to give a greater variety of food, which they enjoy”, says Holly.
The most important opinions come from the students who eat the food daily. One student from Woodlands Primary shares, 'I love getting a hot dinner on cold days because it warms me up and feels really nice.' Another pupil mentions their favourite meals, saying, 'I really like mac and cheese, and roast dinners are some of my favourites.'
4. What health factors need to be considered?
RATIONAL cooking systems further enhance health and nutrition through advanced temperature control, which maintains the nutritional integrity of foods like vegetables and fish by preventing overcooking. This precision also improves the taste and texture of meals, making healthy options more appealing to students. Additionally, RATIONAL's technology reduces the need for excessive oils and fats promoting better heart health and overall nutrition. The precise control and programmable settings also effectively manage allergens, ensuring meals are prepared safely for students with food allergies and intolerances.
Holly Charnock, and her team have been able to offer nutritious, varied meals that meet school food standards, supported by the retention of vitamins, colour, minerals, and flavour. “RATIONAL has helped us maintain healthy recipes, the way we can cook our food is a lot better, we need a lot less oil and we can steam our vegetables which keeps the nutrients in”. Says Holly.
RATIONAL cooking systems can help manage allergens by providing precise control over cooking processes, minimising cross-contamination, and ensuring consistent, allergen-free meal preparation. Features such as programmable cooking settings, separate cooking zones, and easy-to-clean surfaces help maintain strict allergen management protocols, making it easier to cater to dietary restrictions and ensure food safety.
5. What is the biggest issue facing this market?
Budget constraints are also a reality for many foodservice operators, especially within the public sector. Aspiring to own an iCombi Pro or an iVario can be a challenge. That's where the RATIONAL Leasing Scheme comes into play, operated in collaboration with CF Capital PLC, by offering a range of financial products to make it accessible for education establishments of all sizes to enjoy the significant advantages of leasing RATIONAL appliances.
There is a Flexscription programme, available exclusively for RATIONAL customers in LEA maintained and Academy schools. As the name suggests, Flexscription is designed to offer schools maximum flexibility. It is based on an Operating Lease, which is a requirement within LEA/Academy status schools. Under an Operating Lease, the leasing company retains the risks and rewards of ownership, and it will also retain an investment in the equipment being leased, known as the 'residual value'. To find out more🤩👇 www.RATIONAL-online.com/en_gb/lp/leasing/
6. What one tip would you offer on getting your school food provision right?
By integrating RATIONAL’s advanced cooking systems into school kitchens, schools can enhance their catering services significantly. This integration leads to improved food quality, operational efficiency, cost savings, and adherence to health and safety standards, ultimately contributing to a better dining experience for students and staff. Faster cooking times help in serving large numbers of students promptly, essential for schools with tight meal schedules.
The advanced cooking capabilities of RATIONAL systems enable schools to expand their menus and offer a variety of healthy and appealing food options. RATIONAL provides access to extensive recipe databases via the ConnectedCooking digital network solution that can help school caterers innovate and diversify their meal offerings.
The precision cooking capabilities of the RATIONAL iCombi Pro enables healthier food preparation methods, such as steaming and baking, which preserve nutrients and help meet nutritional guidelines for student meals. By incorporating RATIONAL’s innovative solutions, schools can ensure both the safety and nutritional quality of their catering services.
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