Who are Culinera – our new catering providers?

Culinera are the newest and freshest independently owned, education focused caterer in the South of England. Team Culinera are here to bring you the very best in all things; from ingredients, to training, to management.  ​ We are here to disrupt the norm and redefine what adding value actually means. Culinera are the first (and only!) contract caterer to win the prestigious Best Newcomer award at The Cateys. This made even more special by the fact we are an education focused caterer - as we share the award with hospitality legends including Tom Kitchin, Tom Kerridge and Gordon Ramsey OBE!

 

How can I book?

Meals are booked on SchoolComms. SchoolComms can be accessed on a PC or through the SchoolComms App (https://schoolgateway.co.uk/get-started/).

 

How do I register for SchoolComms?
 

1. Download the Android or iPhone app or go to https://login.schoolgateway.com/0/auth/register

2. Press ‘Sign Up’ then enter the email and mobile number your school has on record. If you’re not sure if they have the right details, it’s best to check and update first.

3. Press ‘Send PIN’. You will receive a text message with your unique PIN.

 

How long does it take to order meals?

Once you have registered for the app, it should take no longer than 90 seconds to choose a weeks menu choices.

 

What is the deadline for booking online?

You can order meals up to 8am in the morning, on the day. If you miss this deadline, you can order through the school office up to 10am.

 

How far in advance can I book?

You can order up to 7 weeks in advance. You can change your selection up to 8am on the day, so if you change your mind, you can!

 

Do I have to book a term in advance?

You don’t have to book in advance, you can do it daily, on the day, as long as its before 8am.

 

How many meal options is there a day?

We have available at least 6 different options!! Usual 2 hot main courses, Jacket potato’s with 3 different fillings and either a range of cold deli boxes or a hot pasta option. This gives students a wide variety of options each day.

 

Why are the menu descriptions on the ordering system basic?

You can see our fully published menu on your school website, this has all of the details on. On SchoolComms we keep the descriptions short and simple to understand so that pupils can be part of the descision making process and to make it easy to order on phones. We recognise this may make our menu look simple but we have refined this over time. 

 

Why can’t my child choose at the counter?

We believe it’s important that the choice of lunch is a discussion point each day. We think it helps educate decision making and also allows parents to be part of the process. Preordering is a fantastic way to ensure that we minimise food waste, get students quickly through at lunchtime and is also an excellent way of managing allergens. 

 

Can my child order at school?

We do have the ability to order in the classroom at registration. This is something we introduce on a school by school basis. 

 

What happens if I don’t pre-order?

If you do not pre-order, your child will be given a jacket potato with beans and a fruit salad. Sometimes we will change this due to menu changes and allergy requirements. To ensure you get the menu of your choice, we highly recommend ordering before 8am each day. 

 

In addition to the menu, does my child get anything else?

In addition to being able to select one of 8 main courses and one of 4 puddings, we have a salad bar to choose from also!

 

Is there anything special about your ingredients?

We invest a lot of energy and resource in creating the best menus with great ingredients. For example and where available:

 

• We use British harvested rapeseed oil

• We use British-milled flour

• We use British Red Tractor certified

• We use pole and line-caught tuna 

• We are actively tasking our teams with removing single use packaging from all kitchens 

• All our fish is MSC certified and from sustainable stocks 

• All our cooking chocolate is organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance-certified 

• All of our bananas are Rainforest Alliance-certified.

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Are the menus in line with school food standards?

Are menus are checked against the school food guidelines and school food plan. We believe that our multiple options each day allow everyone to eat with us.

 

Do you offer Vegan options?

We want to ensure that everyone has access to our menus. We have at least one vegan option available daily. 

 

Do you add extra goodness to dishes?

We love extra goodness. Our chef team work closely to pack our menus full of great fruit, vegetables, pulses and seeds to bring as much variety as possible without affecting the taste and quality. 

 

How much of your menus is cooked from scratch?

Culinera are a fresh food company, championing home style cooking. Cooking as much as possible from scratch with great ingrediants. 

 

How often is meat or fish on the menu?

We have meat and fish options available daily. 

 

Can children still decide during registration?

We do have the ability to order in the classroom at registration. This is something we introduce on a school-by-school basis. 

 

My child or I have some meal suggestions, where do we send these two?

Yes please! Please direct through your school council or send feedback direct to us at https://feedback.culinera.co.uk  - this goes direct to Culinera management. 

 

When can I meet Culinera management face to face?

Culinera are an independent company. We are always within the business and you will regularly see us a parents evenings, opening days and you are always welcome to come in for lunch, if arranged with the school!

 

Do you offer theme days or special menus?

Yes! We offer theme days at least every half term. Some of the fun theme days we have coming up include American Day and Children in Need!

 

My child has a Special diet or allergy?

If your child has an allergy - please ensure the school are aware of this allergy (including a referral letter from a medical professional such as a G.P/ consultant /dietician). Any allergy information from the school will be uploaded on to Cycad (our meal ordering system). If you are happy to order a suitable dish from our published menu and the school are already aware of your child’s special diet or dietary preferences, then you do not need to do anything.

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If your child has more complex allergy needs and cannot order from the published menu and requires a special menu please complete our Special Medical Diet Form.