Quick-thinking chefs keep students fed as kitchen is shut down

CREATIVE catering staff at Ripon Grammar School have risen to the challenge of feeding hundreds of students despite a sudden loss of gas supply.

Following the discovery of a leak on site, the supply was immediately turned off and the kitchen declared out of bounds, presenting a significant challenge to the catering team.

Undeterred, they quickly adapted their approach, bringing in electrical cooking equipment at short notice to work from a makeshift kitchen set up in the serving area,

The resilient chefs, normally reliant on gas to run their five ovens, stove top, two fryers and other catering equipment, have continued to supply a wide range of food, including pasta dishes, jacket potatoes and hot breakfast options.

In addition, they are working tirelessly to prepare hundreds of fresh sandwiches and salads to ensure that every student continues to receive a nutritious meal with no disruption to their school day.

Head chef Carl Perks said: “It was a bit of a culture shock, but we soon improvised and adapted and we all brainstormed ideas."

Catering manager Alisha Wilkinson said there was a real wartime spirit in what she described as her ‘field kitchen’ after she rushed out to buy electric hobs, slow cookers, indoor barbecue and skillet pan.

“When I found out what had happened on Sunday night, I just thought ‘We will get through this, everything will be fine’.”

“All the staff have been great about it, we all like a challenge.”

Student Olga Santa, who was enjoying a jacket potato with toppings for lunch said: “It’s very tasty. I think it’s really admirable that they’ve managed to deliver the sort of food they’ve delivered with the kitchen closed off.”

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said: “We are incredibly proud of our catering team. Their positive attitude, flexibility and commitment meant that our students have experienced very little disruption. They truly went above and beyond.”

Engineers are working to resolve the gas issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, catering provision remains in place thanks to the team’s outstanding efforts.