On Wednesday 11th March we had a visit from an Environmental Health Officer (EHO). An EHO can carry out a food hygiene inspection of our premises unannounced at any time. After each inspection, the Food Standards Agency gives a new food hygiene rating ranging from 0 to 5. A score of 5 represents high food safety standards.
The frequency of environmental health inspections depends on a number of factors concerning the potential risk to public health. Here at Amesbury we expect an annual visit as we cater for children under 5.
During the inspection, the following areas are assessed:
- How hygienically food is handled.
- The condition of the structure of the premise, including cleanliness.
- Management, control procedures and record keeping.
We are delighted to confirm we scored a 5.
We like an excuse to put up a few decorations and try something different on the menu. On Valentine’s day we wore our hearts not on our sleeves but on cupcakes and cookies, Shrove Tuesday, was celebrated with the consumption of many pancakes. To mark National Pie Week, we offered a different pie each day! This week we tempted diners with soda bread and colcannon soup to mark St Patrick’s day.
With a new 3-week cycle of menus to start in the Trinity Term we will continue to embrace the growing trend for eating less meat with two ‘Meat Free Mondays’. For prep school pupils our daily Food Market options will have some vegetarian and vegan options amongst the mix of things to try. Expect to see as ever, some regular favourites along with a few new dishes too. We hope the weather will be on our side and allow some Al fresco lunches, always a popular feature of the warmer months.
Mrs Barrett
Catering Manager