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?

Meals must be ordered no later than two nights before meals are served.

 

How far in advance can I book?

You can order up to 6 weeks in advance. If your child is ill or absent from school you must cancel meals through SchoolComms.

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How many meal options is there a day?

We have available at least 3 different options!! Usual 2 hot main courses and Jacket potato’s. 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. 

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What happens if I don’t pre-order?

If you do not pre-order, you will need to provide your child with a packed lunch. 

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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 

• We use fish is MSC certified and from sustainable stocks 

• We use cooking chocolate is organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance-certified 

• We use 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.

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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. 

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

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. 

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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.