Award Winner
Amber Francis Wins National Award for Transforming School Food
Amber Francis, Head Chef and Senior Food Educator at Christ’s College Finchley, has been named the winner of the Extra Mile Award at the 2025 Foodservice Cateys. The award recognises individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference, and Amber’s work redefining what school food can be has done exactly that.
From Michelin Kitchens to School Meals with Meaning:
Amber’s culinary journey began in Michelin-starred restaurants, but her passion has always gone beyond fine dining. She wanted food to have a wider purpose. After volunteering with schools and food charities, she joined the team at Christ’s College Finchley, bringing her professional training into the education sector to show that nutritious, exciting food belongs on every child’s plate.
At Christ’s College Finchley, Amber and her team serve over 700 students daily, transforming the perception of what a school meal can be. Her menus are fresh, colourful and full of curiosity, showing that school lunches can rival restaurant plates for flavour and creativity.
The Future Of School Food Campaign
Encouraging Curiosity Through Food:
One of Amber’s standout initiatives, ‘Try Something New Tuesdays’, has become a hit among students. Each week she introduces a seasonal or unusual ingredient, perhaps purple sprouting broccoli or kohlrabi, encouraging students to explore new flavours. Samples are offered at break time, with Amber on hand to explain what’s on the plate and gather feedback.
Her approach is practical and creative, showing that innovation doesn’t need a big budget. She suggests small, achievable changes such as blending lentils into sauces or adding chickpeas for protein, that quietly lift nutrition and flavour. Even the humble salad bar has become a star feature under her leadership, giving students ownership over what they eat and helping reduce waste.
Recognition for Impact:
Winning The Caterer’s Extra Mile Award follows Amber’s earlier triumph on BBC’s Great British Menu, where she was crowned Champion of Champions. Both accolades recognise not only her culinary skill, but her drive to make change where it matters most: in schools.
“Being the only school chef on Great British Menu allowed me to have conversations that haven’t really been had on that platform; to talk about the importance of working within food education and communities and how vital that is for society.” – Amber Francis
Changing Perceptions, One School at a Time:
Amber’s work reflects Chefs in Schools’ mission: to raise the standard, ambition and perception of food in education. By applying the skills of a professional chef to the school environment, she’s helping to shift national attitudes toward school catering from “canteen” to culinary.
At Chefs in Schools, we now work with over 100,000 children nationwide, and stories like Amber’s are proof that a movement is underway. When skilled chefs bring passion and purpose into schools, the results reach far beyond the lunch line: they shape healthier futures.
If you’re a chef and are interested in switching the restaurant for the school dining hall, learn more here.