Sodexo secures a five-year contract with prestigious Shrewsbury School

Independents by Sodexo has won a five-year contract at Shrewsbury School, one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools, to provide bespoke catering services, enhancing the dining experience for both boarding and day pupils.

The contract strengthens Sodexo’s commitment to delivering bespoke catering services whilst providing sustainable food choices and valued experiences in the independent education sector. This contract award demonstrates Independents by Sodexo’s capability to significantly enhance pupil and staff well-being through innovative, tailored food solutions.

Independents by Sodexo will cater for over a thousand pupils and staff daily, offering breakfast, lunch and supper from August 2024. The core catering will take place in the Kingsland Hall dining facility, with a variety of other services provided across the school estate.

Maylin Ware, Bursar spokesperson from Shrewsbury School added: 'We are pleased to embark on this new journey with Independents by Sodexo. Their commitment to quality, sustainability and innovative culinary practices is aligned with our ethos at Shrewsbury School. We look forward to how this partnership will enhance the daily lives of our pupils and staff.'

With sustainability central to Sodexo’s services, it will introduce carbon labelling to its menus and through its food waste management programme WasteWatch, it will help the school and Sodexo reach their respective net zero targets, as well as working with the School’s Pupil-led Eco Committee to improve sustainability and reducing food waste. The 44-strong catering team based in the local area will include apprenticeships also planned for the team.

Simon Knight, managing director for Independents by Sodexo, said: 'We are delighted to have been chosen by Shrewsbury School to be their catering partner. We are aligned in our commitment to ensuring our business impacts positively on the school and its local community. The contract will enable us to provide employment and career opportunities for more than 40 people from the local area. We also plan to welcome an apprentice to the team at the school.

“We look forward to partnering with Shrewsbury School from the summer to deliver a new innovative dining service which will enhance the food experiences of staff and pupils alike.”

Breakfast will cater for all preferences with a wide range of nutritious items including a comprehensive ‘Grab & Go’ range mirroring contemporary breakfast options offered on the high street. Sodexo also plans to open a new Breakfast Stop at the school’s Quod Café Bar.

Lunch will include new destination counters serving a range of delicious seasonal and sustainable dishes. Menus will include carbon-measured recipes and alongside traditional favourites will also feature authentic dishes from its ‘World Tour’ range, hot bowl foods and ‘sizzler’ hot top salads as well as dishes specifically developed for those participating in sports under its Powering Performance range.

A regular pop-up custom kitchen will enhance the food experience for the school’s pupils and staff bringing theatre to the dining hall.

Supper will see a rotating concept menu focusing on themed servery areas each evening, ensuring a diverse and engaging end-of-day meal for the school’s boarding community.

Beyond regular meals, the contract includes extensive hospitality services for school events and a mobile catering solution that will add additional value by serving street food concepts and themes across the school campus and during sports and large events.

Founded in 1552, Shrewsbury School has a long-standing tradition of providing outstanding education and pastoral care to its pupils. Charles Darwin and Sir Michael Palin are some of the world-famous Old Salopians (alumni) of the school.