Fresh Flavours and Happy Tummies: Meet Errington Primary’s New Chef

Errington Primary School has welcomed a talented new addition to its catering team, bringing a wealth of culinary experience and a fresh approach to school meals. With 15 years in the hospitality industry working in pubs and restaurants, Richard Earl has quickly become an integral part of the Errington family, revolutionising the school dining experience.

Since joining Errington, Richard has been focused on creating a balanced menu that satisfies government nutritional guidelines while also appealing to the varied palates of our young diners. “Every day brings a new challenge to the menu,” he explains. “I’m constantly trying to find that balance between nutritious food and ensuring full bellies at the end of the day.”

One of the most impressive aspects of Richard’s approach has been his engagement with the school community. During a recent parents’ evening, he took the initiative to showcase a selection of school meals and speak directly with families. This personal approach allowed him to better understand what children eat at home and what might entice packed lunch pupils to try school dinners.

“I’ve got a list of children who only eat certain things or have specific dietary requirements,” Richard shares. “I’ll break my back to make sure they’ve got a meal or menu that keeps both them and their parents happy.” This personalised strategy has yielded impressive results, with an additional ten children switching from packed lunches to school meals following these conversations.

As a parent himself, Richard understands the challenges families face and the importance of ensuring children receive a proper meal during their school day. His commitment extends to accommodating allergies and food preferences, keeping detailed records to ensure every child’s needs are met.

The chef has also involved pupils in menu planning, asking teachers to gather feedback from their classes about favourite foods. While some ambitious requests (such as McDonald’s!) might be beyond the scope of school catering, many pupil suggestions are being incorporated into upcoming menus. “Over the next few weeks, the children’s menu choices are starting to come into play,” Richard explains, balancing these preferences with nutritional guidelines.

Currently, Monday’s pizza day ranks as the most popular mealtime, but new options are continuously being introduced.

Richard’s team has adapted brilliantly to the new approach, bringing their valuable knowledge of the children’s preferences to complement his culinary expertise. “The team has been fantastic,” he acknowledges. “They know the children better than I do because they’ve been here for quite a while.”

Looking ahead, Richard hopes to reach out to more parents of children with specific eating patterns to further understand their home eating habits and create even more inclusive meal options. This collaborative approach between chef, parents, and pupils exemplifies our commitment to nurturing the whole child.

At Atomix Educational Trust, we are immensely proud of what Richard Earl has accomplished in the short time he’s been with us at Errington Primary. His innovative approach to school catering, genuine care for children’s wellbeing, and determination to provide meals that are both nutritious and appealing demonstrates the positive impact that passionate staff can have on our school communities. We look forward to seeing how his creative influence continues to transform the dining experience for our pupils in the months ahead.

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