North and north-east schools win big at Scottish School Food Awards

By Garrett Stell

October 28 2022, 5:00 pm

Cullivoe Primary School was just one of many local schools to win big at the Scottish School Food Awards. From left, School cook Kathleen ‘Jen’ Henry, Head Teacher Claire Lawson, Una McMahon of award sponsor Fifty Shades Greener, Kaye Adams accept their award in Edinburgh on Thursday night. Image: Euan Maxwell

Cullivoe Primary, Gordonstoun School, Mackie Academy and Croy Primary all brought home silverware from the 2022 Scottish School Food Awards.

The inaugural Scottish School Food Awards were presented in Edinburgh on Thursday night.

Schools were up for top prizes in individual and group categories and north and north-east schools claimed four of the eight prizes up for grabs.

The awards were run by Claymore Events in partnership with Swiss Education Group and Yummy Jobs.

Here are this year’s winners from the north and north-east:

Sustainable School of the Year – Cullivoe Primary School

Despite being a school of only nine pupils, Shetland’s Cullivoe Primary School on the island of Yell won the Sustainable School of the Year Award.

Headteacher Claire Lawson said that, as an eco-school, sustainability is always a top priority at Cullivoe. And winning the award felt like recognition of their school’s ethos, she said.

“Recycling, the impact on climate change and shunning products with chemical ingredients are of the utmost importance and we strive to teach our pupils about the importance of living in harmony with the environment around us.”

The school grows hearty vegetables suitable for the island’s often rugged climate, including potatoes, turnips and carrots. They also have a polytunnel which allows them to grow more sensitive crops such as sweetcorn and strawberries.

And every bit of their environment finds a use in the food cycle. Pupils protect their crops from slugs with crushed shells from nearby mussel farms. They also add seaweed for extra fertiliser.

And they sell their potatoes and strawberries when they are in season.

Well-Being in Education Award – Gordonstoun School

Moray’s Gordonstoun School won the Well-Being in Education Award, thanks in part to its innovative phased learning menu. The catering team responds to student feedback while making sure young people have the right nutrients for the task at hand.

Judges called it a “holistic approach to nutrition, well-being, physical fitness and outdoor pursuits.”

Gordonstoun students Valentin von Schoenburg and Edith Felmingham are part of the committee that works with the catering staff to create the school’s menu. Elgin. Supplied by Tessa Lumley Date; Unknown

Student Chef of the Year – Phoebe Lawson, Mackie Academy

Winner of the Student Chef of the Year Award was 15-year-old Phoebe Lawson of Mackie Academy in Stonehaven.

Employee of the Year – Anja Fuglestad, Croy Primary

Anja Fuglestad from Croy Primary School in Inverness won the Employee of the Year Award.

Gill Omand of Croy Primary School, left, with Anja Fuglestad, Annie Dunning of Swiss Education Group, Ian Smith of Bruce Stevenson Insurance and Kaye Adams at Thursday night’s Scottish School Food Awards. Image: Euan Maxwell

Anja is a Food For Life Ambassador, and finds innovative ways to get children thinking about their food. Through cooking lessons, growing produce and devising creative ways to avoid waste, she helps pupils expand their tastes by making food exciting.

“Kids who said they would never eat a certain type of food changed their minds and found they were some of their favourites,” she said.

“Growing your own produce isn’t just exciting and healthy, it saves money too, which has never been more important because of the huge rise in food costs.”

Judges said she inspired pupils with lessons in food development and cookery.