Cooks – we did it again!

Orkney school chef Ellie Newlands has been shortlisted in a national competition

Papdale Primary cook supervisor Ellie Newlands has been named as one of three finalists in a Scottish national competition for her “outstanding contribution to catering”.

The ASSIST FM (Facilities Management) Award 2021 recognise teams or individuals within the industry who go above and beyond.

Ellie, who manages a team of 14 at Papdale Primary School, was nominated by Orkney’s Schools’ Catering Manager, Scott Pring, who described Ellie as a “shining star”, in particular for her “can-do” attitude during the pandemic and lockdowns, but also for her day-to-day assistance provided to other members of staff.

The Award asked for entries from local authorities who have implemented something that has changed their service for the better, for teams who have added something special to the service, or from individuals who really stand out.

Scott said: “Ellie has been a school chef for more than 25 years, serving up hundreds of thousands of delicious and carefully thought through meals to children at a number of Orkney schools and nurseries.

“Ellie is very much part of the team, getting stuck in with whatever is required – from washing the dishes to deliveries, menu development to resourcing, prepping and cooking. In addition, she assists in the provision of school meals at many other schools and nurseries.

“She gives careful consideration to those with complex dietary requirements, including allergens - communicating directly with parents, ensuring that they are well informed and treated as partners, all for the benefit of the pupil. This can be as simple as explaining the menu, adapting a dish so that a certain allergy can be illuminated without compromising the dish or indeed isolating the pupil.”

The onset of 1140 hours led to the requirement for the delivery of meals outwith usual school term-time hours – Ellie volunteered to cover these periods to ensure the young people were given a healthy and nutritious meal. As a result, she worked with 10 schools and nurseries and single handedly managed to collate orders, cook the food with all the individual school and child requirements, box it and send it out to various locations across Orkney.

“She was, and continues to be, a consistent presence throughout the pandemic. Ellie was first in line to ensure that the children of key workers and those classed as vulnerable were able to attend at the school and receive tasty and nutritious meals. She’s first in and last to leave and remains calm and a source of stability to allow others to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

“Ellie is a cook that I turn to for menu development, a cook that takes the recipe and not only tweaks and adjusts it but takes the time to communicate back how and why it can be improved, working with the best can do attitude I have witnessed in my 30 years in catering. Best of all, is witnessing the pupils’ full tummies and happy faces.

“She is calm, consistent, compassionate, caring, has a can-do attitude but above all Ellie’s a great cook!”

The winner will be announced at the ASSIST Conference on 17 May 2022 at the Gala Dinner hosted by Dougie Vipond.

Ellie is a tad overwhelmed at the nomination and shortlisting. “I’m a typical Orcadian and I’m not really sure how to take this praise, but it’s really nice of Scott to nominate me and for the recognition of what I do.

“I love working with the kids and I have a brilliant team  - I couldn’t do what I do without them. It’s just my job and I get on with it.”

Ellie said the changes since the pandemic took hold have been challenging especially for the children. “I have found COVID quite stressful in its entirety. I was glad to work all the way through as it was a bit of normality, but it was sad to see how the restrictions impacted on some of the bairns. I think we long for the day when we can return to the normal hustle and bustle of the dinner hall.”

Ellie’s shortlisting sees her follow in the footsteps of Stromness Primary school chef, Karen Bevan, who last year was named Scotland’s top school chef in the LACA – The School Food People – Awards for Excellence.

Chair of the OIC Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “This latest shortlisting is testament to the high calibre of school chefs working in our schools and both have paid tribute to the team around them. We are very lucky in our Orkney schools to have such dedicated and willing catering staff who are being recognised on a national scale. Well done Ellie and the best of luck in the final.”