THE catering team at a Malvern girls' school is celebrating after winning a top award for its healthy choices.

The kitchen staff at Malvern St James in Avenue Road has been awarded the prestigious Gold Healthier Choices Food Award by Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

The school has received the award on top of its level five - or top - rating in the same authority's food hygiene rating scheme.

Mrs Anita Fisher, head of catering, and her team work hard to ensure that nutritionally-balanced menus that cater for all requirements are available to the girls and staff.

All of the food used at the school comes from a family supplier in Gloucestershire, which finds a lot of its products in the local area. Mrs Fisher and head chef, Mrs Chris Doogan, have even been to visit the farm where the school's pork comes from.

All meals are cooked on site using fresh meat and vegetables, healthy drinks, fresh fruit and daily homemade vegetarian soup are always on the menu, and breads and desserts are also made on site. A menu with smaller portions, smaller plates and less spice is available for younger girls in the prep department.

Examples of menu items include Caribbean chicken and pumpkin curry with jasmine rice, Normandy mushroom wellington with chunky fries and garden peas, sweet chilli beef stir fry with mixed leaves and vegetable Cumberland pie. A salad bar, usually themed on Mediterranean or tapas dishes, is also available each day.

Head Olivara Raraty said: "It’s a fantastic achievement and a wonderful accolade for Mrs Fisher and the catering team, who do an exceptional job in providing us with delicious and healthy meals daily. The award is validation of what we have known for a long time about our catering.”