Wednesday 23rd July 2008
(ref:
232/2008)
They cook, they clean, they take care of our schools...
They’re the teams that work tirelessly in the background to make life easier for the rest of us…
And this week they came from behind the scenes and into the limelight as Wigan Council’s cleaning and catering service Metrofresh honoured the borough’s unsung heroes with a special awards’ ceremony.
The first ever Metrofresh Awards took place at Wigan Investment Centre on Thursday July 17.
More than 200 council workers enjoyed a top class evening of entertainment all aimed at recognising the valuable contribution made by those who clean offices or serve school meals.
Mayor of Wigan Cllr Rona Winkworth was on hand to present 15 awards to some of Metrofesh’s most inspirational staff members – from ‘Best Primary School Cook’ to ‘Best Cleaner’.
Metrofresh Strategic Manager Debbie Clarke hailed the event as a huge success.
“These awards were about recognising the people who keep Wigan on the move,” says Debbie. “The teams who dust, sweep and clean council buildings and the cooks and kitchen assistants who prepare school dinners across the borough every day of the week.”
Wigan Council re-branded its cleaning and catering division Metrofresh last September. It has recently taken on the management of the council’s School Crossing Patrol Service.
Earlier this year, Metrofresh was shortlisted for two Local Authority Caters’ Association Awards, including Education Catering Marketing and Primary Catering Team of the Year. The Metrofresh team came third in the national finals for Education Catering Marketing at an awards ceremony also held last week.
Debbie adds:
“The changes to the school meals service introduced by the government presented huge challenges to the catering team to deliver nutritionally-balanced meals at a reasonable price. I’m delighted to say that the hard work of Metrofresh staff, together with some excellent marketing initiatives, we have achieved some outstanding results.”
Since the ceremony Metrofresh has learnt it has been shortlisted for another major national award after being nominated for Catering Service Team of the Year in the Association of Public Service Excellence awards.
