HCLcatering

15/06/2026

We’ve just published a brand-new educational piece on Healthy Eating for Learning 🍏✏️

In it, we explore exactly why nutrition matters so much for children’s focus, energy and performance in school, and how the food they eat both at home and at school plays a key role in supporting this.

We’ve also broken down the government’s Eatwell Guide alongside the School Food Standards, to show how these guidelines directly influence the menus we create every day.

Every one of our menus is carefully designed to be fully compliant with current School Food Standards, while providing the essential nutrients children need to stay engaged, concentrate better and achieve their best.

This piece is all about providing a clearer understanding of what goes into school meals, and the thinking behind how they support children’s focus, energy and learning.

Head over to the HCL website to take a look and learn more: https://www.hcl.co.uk/post/healthy-eating-for-learning

As standards evolve, it will be important to strike the right balance - so that guidance continues to support both strong nutrition and meals that schools can deliver effectively and consistently for every child.

11/06/2026

A tube strike and nearly four hours in taxis didn’t stop Kirsty, our Customer Development Manager, and Katy, our New Business and Retention Controller, from making it to EdExec LIVE in London last Thursday! EdExec LIVE is the go-to UK event series for school business leaders shaping how schools run.

Our stand was buzzing all day, fuelling visitors with delicious cakes and cookies from our food team. 🍰

From sharing insights with school business managers and headteachers, to discussing the challenges and opportunities in school catering, it was a day full of meaningful and important conversations.

We made some exciting connections for 2027, while catching up with familiar faces who shared just how much they value the service HCL provide and the difference we make. ✨

03/06/2026

We are extremely excited to announce that we have been nominated for not one, not two, but THREE The School Food People for Excellence!

We are proud to be finalists in the following categories:

- The School Food People Primary School Catering Team of the Year Award
- The School Food People & Natasha Allergy Research Foundation Allergy Management Award
- The School Food People Marketing Award

Every day, our people go above and beyond to bring creativity, care, and passion into every kitchen, and make a real difference to the lives of the children we serve. From crafting nutritious menus to delivering delicious meals and building positive food experiences in our schools, their commitment truly sets us apart, and this recognition is a testament to the amazing work they deliver each day!

01/06/2026

Start the week with a new job...🤩

Whether you want to work in a primary or secondary school, as a chef or assistant, doing 10 hours a week or 30, we have lots of roles available to fit a whole variety of needs.

We're looking for passionate, hard-working individuals that want to make a difference, serve good food, and put a smile on our students faces. ✨

If this sounds like you, get in touch at [email protected] or apply at https://www.hcl.co.uk/vacancies

28/05/2026

Our latest news piece on fibre is now live, joining our ever-growing series on food and nutrition education.

At HCL, we thoughtfully incorporate fibre into our balanced menus to support healthier lifestyles in a practical, everyday, and enjoyable way for all our students 🍴

Fibre plays a vital role in digestion, helps keep you fuller for longer, stabilises blood sugar levels, and supports heart health. Yet, it’s estimated that only 4% of adults are meeting their recommended daily fibre intake.

If you haven’t explored its full benefits yet, now is the time. Our latest article breaks down why fibre truly is a gut health hero and why it deserves more attention in your diet.

Read more here: https://www.hcl.co.uk/post/fibre-the-gut-health-hero

You’ve probably heard a lot about fibre lately in the news and on social media, but what exactly is it and why is it important to our health?Dietary fibre is a term used to describe a selection of carbohydrates that are found naturally in plants. Fibre differs to most other carbohydrates (such as ...

22/05/2026

Across the schools we support, we encourage students every day to try new ingredients, develop food skills and build confidence in what they eat - helping them build a positive relationship with food.

This half term, if you’d like to continue that learning at home, cooking together is a simple way to explore new flavours and encourage children to try something different.

One of our Food Team chefs, Katherine, has shared her fajita recipe - fun, colourful and a great way to get children involved in the kitchen. 🌯

Download the recipe here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:e02ce9b5-c79a-46f9-8e9d-85f83fa89918

21/05/2026

A quick look inside the kitchen with our CEO, John Want… but something’s missing - where are all the sausage rolls?!

The School Food Standards Consultation has just a few weeks remaining. Have you answered the survey yet?

Let’s make sure the incredible work already happening across school kitchens isn’t undone with menus children simply don’t enjoy. Nutritious food has to be appealing too - otherwise, it doesn’t get eaten.

✅ Let’s protect what works
✅ Let’s champion balanced, realistic standards
✅ Let’s do the right thing

📢 Share your views:
https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-food-policy-team/school-food-standards-updating-the-leg-framework/consultation/intro/

The School Food People

14/05/2026

We’ve launched an exciting new series of articles designed to give parents, students and the wider community greater insight into the key food and nutrition topics. 🍎

Developed by the expert nutrition and food team behind our menus, this series reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, education and supporting healthier habits beyond the dining hall - helping us feed growing minds every day.

As part of Salt Awareness Week, our latest article explores the role of salt in everyday diets - including current government recommendations, practical ways to reduce intake at home and the steps we take at HCL to carefully manage salt across our menus. 🧂

It’s one example of how we combine expertise with action to deliver meaningful impact for schools and families.

Read more here:
https://www.hcl.co.uk/post/international-salt-awareness-week

Every year, 'Action on Salt' run a national Salt Awareness Week to help raise awareness of the damaging effect of excess salt in the diet.Evidence has shown that regularly eating too much salt increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the main cause of strokes and....

11/05/2026

We need some Mobile Cook Managers...📢

We're always looking for fresh new talent and motivated new catering staff to join our amazing teams. Why not join us as a Mobile Cook Manager where you'll be travelling between sites, getting stuck in with our kitchen teams and where each day could offer something different!

There are a variety of other roles available at HCL across Hertfordshire and beyond. Maybe you're the perfect candidate?

If you're looking to make an impact, with a people-first mindset and a passion for feeding growing minds, what are you waiting for?

Apply Today! ✨

https://www.hcl.co.uk/vacancies

06/05/2026

We're proud to support British farming wherever possible. Do you know which fruit and vegetables are in season in the UK this month? 🌱

In-season produce makes all the difference to the dishes you make. You'll experience the best, most flavourful versions of produce if you use them in the right season.

In May, British strawberries and rhubarb are coming into season, making them brilliant choices for some fruity desserts.🍓

If you're looking for the best vegetables: asparagus, aubergine, beetroot, chillies, lettuce, new potatoes, peas, peppers, spinach, spring onions and watercress are all delicious options coming into season in the UK this month! 🥬

Our schools benefit from a daily salad bar with lots of these in-season veggies as well as a fresh seasonal fruit selection available daily for all students!

If you'd like to know what else is currently in season in the UK, check out Seasonal Britain's guide to in-season produce:

https://lnkd.in/9c48g