News

EP Business in Hospitality has announced a joint venture with Catering Scotland (CIS) to raise the quality of food provision in Scottish schools. It is hoped the awards will help the Scottish education sector reach new benchmarks in nutritional excellence.

Chris Sheppardson, chief executive at EP Business in Hospitality, said: “The link between substandard nutrition and poor mental health has become a central theme upon which more and more businesses are now focusing. Consequently, foodservice has never been more important in promoting health, nutrition and wellbeing.

“It’s clear that the education sector is starting to recognise the link between healthier lifestyles and the positive impact this can have on a child’s productivity at school.  

“This is fuelling an appetite for real change in the sector particularly as demand for improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of the young continues to grow, schools are making the connection in terms of the important role food and nutrition plays.”

The EPCIS Excellence Awards will celebrate Scotland’s schools, colleges, universities, caterers and suppliers who are forging new links with pupils, staff and students. An independent panel of experts from foodservice, education and business sectors will judge the awards.

Alex Buchanan, co-founder of the EPCIS Excellence Awards for the Scottish hospitality industry, added: “Schools and other educational establishments are making concerted efforts to accommodate increased demand from parents, staff and students for higher quality foodservice provision.

“Independent schools and colleges across the country are reinventing their offerings to reflect a healthier lifestyle, including healthy eating, mental health awareness, wellbeing initiatives and greater nutritional and cookery education.”

The awards include:

• The Community Benefits Award
• The Healthier Food Award
• The Hospitality Education Award
• The Healthy Living Innovation Award
• The Independent Education Chef of the Year Award
• The Bursar of the Year Award
• The Student Chef of the Year Award
• The Contract Caterer Award
• The In-House Caterer Award
• The Sustainability Award
• The Marketing Award
• The Mental Health and Wellbeing Award