Our talented people

NVQ Celebrations for Norfolk County Services Staff

Over the past few months 37 cooks and kitchen assistants have been studying hard for their NVQ level 2 in Professional Cookery. Some of them are pictured receiving their certificates at a recent NVQ celebration afternoon with Training Manager, Linda Savage.

Rachel Spacey, NVQ Assessor for the College of West Anglia said "When I was first asked to deliver NVQ training for Norse Commercial Services in their school kitchens my first thought was cold lumpy custard and then Jamie Oliver. How wrong I was! I have been working with ladies across the region who have dramatically changed my views. They are all so professional and hard working and deliver high standards every single day. To them it's not just their job, they really want to make a difference, and due to their hard work and commitment they will all achieve this important qualification. It has been a pleasure to work with them all and acknowledge the high standards they achieve."

After the success of this project Norse Commercial Services is looking to encourage more staff to gain this qualification and formalise their knowledge.

Talent Showcase

Every year we encourage NCS staff to showcase their skills by entering two competitions:
School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) - a national competition
Ready, Steady, Cook - based on the popular TV programme

Each competition is very different, but each is a platform to show how professional, innovative and dedicated staff are. And as anyone who has entered will tell you, a bit nerve racking but a lot of fun!

Profile: Cira McDonald

Cira McDonald is one of our Mobile Cook Managers, Cira's story is similar to many of the staff we employ in Norse Commercial Services.

Cira joined us in 1997 as a Cook Manager in Greenacre School, Great Yarmouth. In 1999 Cira moved on to become a Mobile Cook Manager, providing cover for absence and illness, training new staff and generally doing whatever is required in the 38 schools on the area. No two days are the same, which is part of the appeal of the job. One day Cira can be washing up, the next dressing up and managing a healthy eating promotion (as can be seen from the "Tomato" costume).

Cira says "I love my job, working alongside great staff who are really committed to what they do. Engaging with the children at lunchtimes is also important, listening to their thoughts on food and getting them to try new foods and tastes."

As part of her development Cira is now delivering Food Hygiene Refresher training to staff to comply with legislation. Cira is also pictured running a cookery workshop with a group of children, and receiving a "Pride of NCS" Unsung hero award at the 2007 annual staff recognition awards.

This is typical of what our staff do, the job is demanding yet fun, staff are committed, open to new ideas and whole heartedly believe in engaging children to eat a healthy nutritious meal, freshly prepared each day.

> learn more...