Coreen is hanging up her apron after 30 years – and around 4 million meals!

For 30 years, Coreen Daley has donned her “peeny” and helped keep the pupils and staff at Kirkwall Grammar School well fed. 

That’s a mouth-watering 4 million meals – give or take one or two thousand– that she has been responsible for over her school catering career! 

Coreen feels the time is right to hang up her apron, hand over the oven gloves and pass the office keys to someone new. 

Her extensive knowledge, experience and personality will be a huge miss among a team that she says are “just like family.” 

She said: “My husband, Kevin, is retiring this year and he was keen for me to do the same. We are looking forward to holidays, I will be spending time in the greenhouse he built me during lockdown and just enjoying life while we can!” 

Coreen remains in the cook supervisor role until 3 July and has headed up a team of between eight to ten staff, for the last 18 years. 

“I did an SVQ2 in catering at the college and was offered a job by Heinz Ziegert as assistant cook at KGS in the old building – that was around 30 years ago. For 11 or so years, I worked two jobs – being an assistant cook and a cleaner, before I became cook supervisor. 

“I have served up meals to several generations now. You watch them grow from shy 1st years to confident young adults. We also have a great rapport with the staff, as we feed them too!” 

The move to the new Grammar School and a more modern but compact kitchen was a learning curve for the team. 

“There’s been lots of changes over the years but moving over to a largely cashless system at the new school is one that stands out. There’s stringent new labelling as a result of Natasha’s Law and listing of all ingredients and allergens, but also managing the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020 that require us to ensure we meet strict nutrient, food and energy-based standards daily.” 

Coreen spends the morning cooking and the afternoons are admin-focused. 

“It’s a very busy job and there’s lots I have had to learn over the years, but I love my job and the team. We really do all get on so well – we are just like family. We laugh a lot, but we get the job done – everyone knows what they are doing, and everyone takes a turn at whatever needs to be done.” 

Coreen is proud of the kitchen’s “A” class inspection record. 

“The inspections are usually unannounced, and I can confidently say that we have always come away with a good report – that's something I’m really proud of.” 

During lockdown and the KGS was closed, Coreen and three other members of the catering team went to help in the kitchens at St Rognvald’s House (as some staff there were shielding), making sure the residents were looked after. 

“It was a scary time but hugely rewarding to know you were doing your bit to help.” 

It’s that “can-do” attitude that is in abundance among the team and what they will be hoping to attract into the role. 

To anyone considering applying, Coreen said: “This kitchen is a very happy place to work and you’ll be made to feel very welcome. I couldn't have run the kitchen without the excellent team I have - we don't have a big turnover in staff as they all seem to enjoy coming to work. Just go for it!” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Coreen has ensured that thousands of pupils and staff have eaten well during term time for three decades – no mean feat especially given the growing national standards of food compliance and regulations dished out to school kitchens. 

“From all at Orkney Islands Council, we wish Coreen a long and happy retirement.” 

KGS is Orkney’s largest secondary school, providing meals for up to 900 pupils and staff daily. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the cook supervisor role, contact Scott Pring, Service Manager (Corporate Catering) on (01856) 879238 or email scott.pring@orkney.gov.uk 

To apply directly: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/cook-supervisor-kirkwall-grammar-school-379330 

The closing date is Sunday 2 June 2024.