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To keep up with changing student food preferences we’ve been shaking up our menu here at Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich.

“Students are increasingly influenced by the high street and are eating a wider variety than they have done in the past,” says Gemma Evans, Executive Development Chef at Chartwells, the catering company which runs our canteen.

“Our aim is to develop an entirely new food offer that is even more exciting and engaging.”

What students want

The new menu, which was launched in November, has been created after extensive research into student preferences towards food, but is also nutritious and compliant with all government guidelines.

The new menu aims to offer more of what students want – including good food that can be eaten on the go – and is themed around:

• Global Adventures – featuring the six most popular global cuisines such as Thai and Carribean
• Wings and Things – high street-inspired chicken dishes that are fully customisable
• Deep Southern Diner – for tasty American Tex-Mex dishes
• Speedy Italian – Italian favourites served fast and on the go

There’s light and simple salad and meal pots too, plus the ever-popular sandwiches, baguettes, wraps, and paninis with a large choice of fillings.

Mid-morning break

There’s even food specially designed for mid-morning break – to fill the gap between breakfast and lunch and keep students focused on lessons, not stomachs.

Harris Boys’ Academy is one of seven schools trialling the menu, which is being offered on a three week rolling menu.

“We’re collecting feedback every day and will amend the menu next term to reflect what students tell us,” says Gemma. “Overall the feedback has been amazing from both teachers and pupils who like the way the food looks and appreciate the choice too. Boys have gone crazy for the new 20oz Grab ‘n’ Go pasta pots, for example, which includes pasta, sauce (meat or vegetarian) and cheese.”

Free tasters

Students are offered free tasters to encourage them to try different dishes. “It is a nice feeling when pupils who rarely eat vegetables try something different,” says Gemma. “Last Monday, for example, we offered a sweet potato, coconut and bean stew. Vegetarian food is not always that popular so we planned to produce 20 portions but it was much more popular than expected. This particular dish has seven different vegetables in it, including spinach!”

The new menu, complete with meal deal prices. Download the menu here.