'Host a School Chef' kicks off with cooks at Chester Grosvenor

This year’s Host a School Chef, sponsored by Alaska Seafood, has been kicked off with two school chefs working at the Michelin Star Chester Grosvenor.

Julia Wood, Assistant Cook at Weaverham High School in Northwich, and Sally Hazlehurst, Business Support Supervisor for Edsential, the Community Interest Company founded by Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral Councils, spent the day with Chester Grosvenor’s Executive Chef Simon Radley.

Host a School Chef is a nationwide campaign designed to demonstrate the skills and knowledge of today’s education caterers as part of the drive to encourage children to eat more healthily. Previously part of National School Meals Week (NSMW), it is now a year long programme.

Julia commented: “The first thing that struck me was the sheer number of staff employed across the numerous kitchens and I really appreciated Simon and his team taking time out of their busy day to give me the opportunity to enjoy such a wonderful experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but for me the best experience was working with the pastry chef. I was astonished with the wondrous variety of pastries and desserts being made that day. They tasted scrumptious.

"I would like to thank all at Edsential who worked hard to make this experience with Simon Radley possible, a truly amazing prize; also thank you to our industry body LACA (Lead Association for CAtering in Education) and Host a School Chef Sponsors Alaska Seafood, for their commitment to this terrific initiative that offers school chefs across the country a once in a lifetime experience.”

Edsential colleague Sally added: “It was a real honour and pleasure to work inside the kitchen at the Grosvenor with such talented chefs and it really was “wow” from start to finish. The only problem was that the day went far too quickly, it was mesmerising. Simon’s brigade are a really welcoming, friendly and inclusive group, who made us feel part of the team from the moment we arrived, which helped everything to run so smoothly throughout the day.

"I think the best way I can sum up the day is that it wasn’t just about cooking and serving food, it was about presenting diners with art on a plate. Thank you to Edsential for the experience and to the sponsors for making it possible.”