header-bg
conf

Join HES Catering at the East London & Essex Education and Governance Conference and Exhibition 2026

Join HES Catering at the East London & Essex Education and Governance Conference and Exhibition 2026

HES Catering will be exhibiting at the conference, providing you an opportunity to meet our team and learn more about our service and offer.

If you are considering switching the catering provider for your school, pay us a visit at the conference.

Entry to the conference is completely free but you will need to register for a place using the registration button below.

We look forward to seeing you there.

https://mondale-events.co.uk/event/east-london-essex-education-governance-conference-exhibition-2026/

Scott’s Marvellous Michael Rosen Poetry Party

When it comes to lunchtime,
this lady’s a whizz.
Just ask anyone,
Michelle’s food is the biz.

She mashes,
she mixes,
she moulds
and she makes.

All the food on our menu –
even the cakes.

She can knock up a baguette,
a posh sort of sarnie.
Or for something more special,
a chicken byriani.

And if that’s not enough,
there’s a pasta choice too.
You want cheesy tomato?
Then join the queue.

So remember this November
the date is below.
It’s Scott’s Poetry Party,
let’s all give it a go.

By Michael Rosen

 

FAQs for Free from Allergen Days

What’s Free from Allergen Days (FDA Days)?
FDA Days are special school lunch days where every meal, side and dessert is completely free from the 14 declarable allergens. These days ensure all pupils can enjoy lunch safely and inclusively.

Which allergens are avoided on FDA Days?
The 14 declarable allergens include:

  • Celery
  • Gluten-containing cereals (wheat, rye, barley, oats)
  • Crustaceans (prawns, crabs, lobsters)
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Lupin
  • Milk
  • Molluscs (mussels, oysters)
  • Mustard
  • Peanuts
  • Sesame
  • Soybeans
  • Sulphur dioxide/sulphites (above 10ppm)
  • Tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, macadamia nuts)

How can I tell which days are FDA Days?
FDA Days are clearly marked on school menus with a purple FDA sticker

creative intern 1741262778 removebg preview

What if my child has a packed lunch?
We encourage families to consider switching to school meals. This ensures your child benefits from freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals every day. Eligible pupils can also enjoy meals free of charge through the Free School Meals scheme. More here https://www.havering.gov.uk/schools-education/school-support

How does HES Catering support pupils with allergies all year round?
Since 2019, we have partnered with Kafoodle, a food technology platform that allows families and pupils to filter menus online based on allergens or dietary requirements. FDA days build on this by providing dedicated days where every child can eat safely at school.

Who can I contact for more information?
Please email: schoolcatering@havering.gov.uk 

Celebrating VE Day at St Peter’s

VE Day stands for Victory in Europe Day, which is celebrated on 8th May each year and marks the formal end of World War II in Europe in 1945.

The wonderful kitchen team over at St Peter’s Catholic School pulled out all the stops to mark this special day from the decor down to the food. Pupils were served a tasty selection of British favourites… cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches, sausage rolls and refreshing, crunchy carrot and cucumber sticks on the side.

The kitchen team over at St Peter’s continuously make dining an exciting experience for pupils!

ve3 ve4

 

Help Your Child’s School & Ditch the Packed Lunch

You may have heard about the ‘Mayor’s Meals’ initiative which provides pupils in Years 3 to 6 with free school meals, courtesy of the Mayor of London.

Our school meals are a great benefit to your child. Each meal is specially curated by an executive chef and nutritionist to ensure that pupils get tasty and nutritious meal options daily.

The benefits of choosing school meals instead of packed lunches include:

  • Better learning outcomes thanks to improved concentration, memory and problem-solving skills
  • Healthier eating habits: balanced meals teach pupils better long-term eating practices
  • Saves time and money: packed lunches can cost over £2.76 a day to match the nutritional value of a school meal
  • Help our school access up to £2,010 in extra funding (Pupil Premium) for extracurricular activities, teacher development and support for children

All children eligible for Pupil Premium payments will still benefit from Mayor’s Meals. Pupil Premium funding is a grant from the government paid directly to schools and used to improve educational outcomes. Each Pupil Premium payment grants the school an extra £2,010 per eligible pupil which contributes towards this pot of money.

To check your eligibility and grant your child’s school this funding, please click here.

Did you know? Our school caterer, Delish, recently introduced allergen free days to all school menus? This means that every meal, including sides and desserts, is completely free from the 14 declarable allergens. This exciting change ensures your child will have a safe and inclusive dining experience where they will be able to enjoy new and adventurous allergen free dishes with their peers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make hot cross buns with this quick and easy recipe!

Ingredients

For the buns:

  • 3 cups (375g) self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
  • 1 cup (250ml) milk
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup (80g) sultanas or raisins

For the crosses:

  • 1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water

For the glaze:

  • 2 tbsp apricot jam

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, and sugar.
  3. Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture. Add milk, beaten egg, and oil. Stir until just combined. Fold in the sultanas or raisins.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Divide into 12 even pieces and shape into balls. Place them close together on the prepared tray.
  5. Mix plain flour with water to form a smooth paste. Transfer to a piping bag (or a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe crosses onto the buns.
  6. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  7. Heat the apricot jam in the microwave or a small saucepan until smooth. Brush the hot buns with the glaze for a shiny finish.
  8. Serve and enjoy!

An Easy Irish Recipe for St Patrick’s Day

Here’s a simple recipe for a classic Irish Potato and Leek Soup perfect for St Patrick’s Day!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter 🧈
  • 2 leeks cleaned and sliced 🌱
  • 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced 🥔
  • 1 small onion chopped 🧅
  • 4 cups vegetable broth 🥣
  • Salt and pepper to taste 🧂

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add leeks and onions, and cook until soft (about 5 minutes)
  2. Add diced potatoes and vegetable broth to the pot, bringing to a boil
  3. Reduce heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender
  4. Use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend the soup to your desired texture (smooth or chunky)
  5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm

This simple yet hearty dish is full of comforting flavours and Irish charm. It’s perfect for nourishing students and celebrating St Patrick’s Day the Irish way!

We are introducing Allergen Free Days to all menus

We’re pleased to introduce allergen free days to all school menus. Meals served on this day, including sides and desserts, will be entirely free from the 14 declarable allergens, providing a more inclusive dining experience for pupils.

The 14 declarable allergens include celery, gluten-containing cereals (wheat, rye, barley, oats), crustaceans (prawns, crabs, lobsters), eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs (mussels, oysters), mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide/sulphites (if the sulphur dioxide and sulphites are at a concentration of more than ten parts per million) and tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts). (food.gov.uk).

In 2019, we made our first commitment to supporting pupils with food allergies through our partnership with food tech innovators Kafoodle. With access to the Kafoodle online app, pupils could view their daily menu and filter options based on known food allergens or dietary requirements.

Cllr Robert Benham, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, said:
“Allergens are a rising issue across the country and HES Catering Services wants to go above and beyond in supporting ‘Natasha’s Law’ by using the latest  technology to ensure that pupils with known food allergens are able to safely enjoy their lunches.”

Six years on, we continue to support pupils with allergies by introducing FDA (free from declarable allergen) days to schools across Havering.

Click here to see our 25-26 example menu

On the 25-26 school menus the FDA days will be marked with this sticker

creative intern 1741262778 removebg preview

Please contact your child’s school for access to their full menu

Pancake Day with Delish by HES!

Pancake Day takes on the 4th of March

This day is all about indulging in fluffy, delicious pancakes and sharing the joy with family, friends, and the wider community. Whether you prefer them plain, topped with syrup, or loaded with berries, National Pancake Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy this breakfast classic.

For dessert, pupils will have tasty American pancakes served plain or with lemon 🥞🍋

Free meals for primary school aged children

Your child will be able to receive free school meals if they are in reception class, year 1 or year 2 regardless of benefits or household earnings.

For the 2024-2025 school year, children in year 3, year 4, year 5 and year 6 will also be able to receive free school meals regardless of benefits or household earnings.

Funding for this is provided by the Mayor of London and it covers schools in London boroughs only, including the London Borough of Havering.

All primary age children will receive free school dinners, however, it is still worth notifying us if you meet the criteria below as your child’s school will receive additional funding.

Also, if it is known that your child is eligible, they will continue to receive free school meals after the 2024-2025 school year even if by then your personal circumstances have changed.

Pupils in years 3 to 6 who receive free school meals are still able to apply for Pupil Premium.

Speak to our team

There's no question too big or too small. Whatever it is, we're here to help. Contact us today, and our friendly team will be ready to assist you with any enquiries or concerns you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!

    What is 6 + 3 ? Refresh icon

    ×



      What is 5 + 7 ? Refresh icon