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School Chefs Bring School Dinners to Downing Street
Four of the UK’s top school chefs, including two supported by our charity, took their menus to 10 Downing Street on the 10th November, serving up a taste of what’s possible when school food is done brilliantly.
Nathan Scarlett, Russ Ball, Alex Moody, and Steven Cross, who are all winners of the Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards, served up canapés inspired by the nutritious, flavour-packed meals they deliver every day in their school kitchens.
Dishes sampled by ministers included chipotle bean tacos with guacamole and pink pickled onions, slow cooked beef shin ragu with potato gnocchi, and barbecue jerk chicken with dumplings.
The event marked the Government’s renewed commitment to transforming school food. Alongside plans to extend free school meals to all families on Universal Credit and launch universal breakfast clubs, the first review of the School Food Standards in more than a decade is currently underway.
Interviewed by Dr Amir Khan for ITV’s Lorraine Show, Sir Keir Starmer said:
The Future Of School Food Campaign
“We’re celebrating here – partnership working between government and various sectors – but particularly focusing on food at school, and proving the concept, which has been proven, that good, nutritious food is obviously better for children. And guess what? They actually do like it more.”
For the chefs, it was a chance to show ministers the best practice that’s already happening in some pioneering school kitchens. “The ministers tasted exactly what children are eating in our schools,” said Nathan Scarlett, Head Chef and Food Educator at Henry Cavendish Primary, London. “This is what great school food looks like in practice, and it’s vital they see and taste that first hand.”
Both Nathan and Russ began their journeys in school kitchens through Chefs in Schools.
“To see school chefs showcasing their skills in Downing Street, recognised by the Prime Minister, is a very special moment,” said Naomi Duncan, Chief Executive of Chefs in Schools. “It shows the creativity and care happening in school kitchens, and the impact good food can have on children’s health, wellbeing, and learning.”
For Nathan, the invitation to cook at Number 10 was a powerful full-circle moment. Growing up in foster care, food was the one constant in a life that was often uncertain. It was in school — during home economics lessons — that he first discovered his love of cooking. That spark set him on a path to working in Michelin-starred kitchens, and now to leading the kitchen at Henry Cavendish Primary, where he inspires pupils every day.
“Food changed my life,” he said. “To be serving dishes from my school menu in Downing Street, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
“When they first mentioned cooking at Number 10, I laughed it off — I thought they were joking. Then the message came through inviting me to Downing Street, and I couldn’t believe it. Next thing I knew, I was there doing a recce of the kitchen. It was surreal — and amazing.”
At Chefs in Schools we champion better food for all children, and through our work in schools, prove that with the right support, training, and passion, school kitchens can be a powerful force for health, education, and opportunity. If you’re a school interested in learning more about how our programmes could help transform your school food culture, learn more here.