“This is the first school I have worked in where the only comment regarding catering was from a parent complaining there was too much choice! We are delighted with everything that the Palmer & Howells team provide”

"The school had been in-house for a number of years (having tried contractors who didn’t live up to promises made) and the service had stagnated. Palmer & Howells were able to come in and advise the school on new service equipment, new menus, new working methods and a radically enhanced salad bar, which has been met with universal approval. Everyone associates contract caterers with higher overall costs particularly in relation to food, our experience is that P&H have delivered the exact opposite of that, I am absolutely delighted with them.”

"As a small rural school we were apprehensive about bringing in contract caterers after running the catering 'in-house' for many years.

Palmer & Howells have calmed all our fears. They handled the transition superbly, produce good quality food within the agreed budget, with the minimum of hassle for me. One of my better management decisions!"

We have been on-site since we began some five years ago, and have implemented a new cost control regime. We were the first caterers to come within the school's budget. The Headmaster, Jonathan Lancashire, in a press release quoted:

"The school has formed an excellent working relationship with Palmer & Howells and we are absolutely delighted with their support and commitment to providing a first class catering service together with the highest standards of food and cost control.  One or other of the directors always attends the major school functions which is very reassuring".

"They take the time and trouble to listen to the customers, i.e. the pupils, and translate what they want into the catering service. An example of this recently was demonstrated when a group of pupils asked if they could use Fair Trade coffee. This has now been incorporated throughout the school's catering service."

We have been at the Downs since April 2000. We took over the contract from a national contractor and implemented our new financial controls and purchasing. The school thought the purchase invoices and supplier price lists were erroneous, as they were from exactly the same suppliers, supplying the same goods but at a much cheaper cost than under the previous regime.

The school have been through a difficult period and we were able to make significant savings to assist them at that time. The previous Headmaster Alistair Ramsey has said of us:

"Catering and cleaning at a small school has its difficulties, not least with staffing. We have been very impressed to find Lorraine in the kitchen at 6.00am when our Catering Manager has been off ill. Not having to worry about this important area of school life is a great weight lifted off our shoulders. We are absolutely delighted with Kevin and Lorraine's commitment to providing a top class catering and housekeeping service."

The General Manager at Monkton has been amazed at the difference in approach when comparing it to the company he previously worked for. "Palmer & Howells have a completely open and honest policy, which I find a refreshing change and easy to work with."