Overview of the Partnership
Our partnership with Stowe School showcases how a collaborative approach can enhance the overall dining experience within a large boarding environment. Working closely with the school, the focus was placed on elevating food quality, enriching pupil engagement, and creating a more enjoyable, community-centered experience for pupils, staff, and visitors. The partnership also introduced a café space supported by our sister brand Benugo, aligning with the school’s vision for a contemporary, premium-feeling environment.
Initial Priorities
When our partnership began, there were key areas identified as initial priorities for development, which centered around improving consistency, re-energising the dining experience, and strengthening the culture within the catering team. Together, we set out to build a stable foundation that reflected the school’s values and ambitions, ensuring that food and service standards supported the wider pupil experience.
A crucial element of the early work involved supporting Stowe in strengthening the catering team and creating a clear structure that enabled consistency and high standards. With strong leadership, improved cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose, the team was positioned to deliver a more dependable and enjoyable service for the school community.
Enhancing the experience
Once a stable foundation was in place, the focus moved to enhancing the food experience. This included introducing greater variety, creating meals that reflected student preferences, and presenting food in a way that encouraged engagement and enjoyment. As confidence and trust grew, pupils responded positively, helping to build a more vibrant and inclusive dining culture.
We introduced regular conversations with pupils, including council meetings, tasting opportunities, and open feedback channels, these have played an important role in shaping menus and embed a sense of ownership among pupils resulting in a strengthened the connection between the catering team and the school community.
To support a more relaxed and enjoyable meal time experience, the layout and flow within the dining hall were reviewed in partnership with the school. Clearer service points and a more intuitive layout helped create a smoother experience for pupils and ensured that key food concepts were presented in an accessible and appealing way.
Introducing the Benugo Café Concept
As part of the shared vision to enhance the environment for pupils and visitors, the school introduced a café space supported by our sister company, Benugo. The café provides a contemporary social setting that aligns with the expectations of older pupils, offering a welcoming, comfortable place for daily use, visitors, and informal gatherings. This addition brings a distinctive identity to the school’s hospitality offer, complementing the wider dining experience and adding a modern feel to the campus.
Supporting Events and School Life
The partnership extends beyond daily meals, supporting the school with hospitality needs across a wide range of occasions. This includes community events, celebrations, and moments that contribute to the life of the school. To provide greater flexibility, the partnership introduced a branded catering food truck, this mobile addition enhances food provision at sports fixtures, events, and community occasions, offering pupils, staff, and visitors convenient access to food in a variety of settings. It also brings a sense of variety and atmosphere to campus activities, serving as a versatile extension of the school’s hospitality offer. Since its introduction, the food truck has become a valued feature across the school calendar, adding creativity, choice, and a distinctive presence at key moments throughout the year.
We are proud that the catering team plays an active role in helping create memorable experiences that reflect the character and traditions of Stowe.
