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Food, community, and values

How Chartwells enhanced King’s-Edgehill School’s culture and became a part of their family

King’s-Edgehill School, in Windsor, Nova Scotia, takes food seriously. It aims to provide a rich eating and dining experience for all of its students and staff. Chartwells, one of Canada’s premier food service providers, helped the school satisfy this objective and, in the process, became a part of its family.

Meeting the school’s unique needs

King’s-Edgehill School has challenging food service requirements. As a boarding school with over 400 students, it must satisfy the needs and interests of a large and diverse student body. “We have students with allergies who need to be catered to,” says King’s-Edgehill Headmaster Joe Seagram. “We have vegans and vegetarians. We have high-level athletes who need lots of protein.”

Chartwells rose to the occasion. It provided a wide variety of high-quality food, including meals and snacks, that catered to each student’s needs. “We were impressed with their ability to adapt to our diversity,” says Seagram. “Their salad bars provide legumes, seeds, cheeses, and nuts, so vegetarians have access to protein. Chartwells also enabled our students to expand their pallets by experiencing foods from different parts of the world. Our kids enjoy Indian, Chinese, and Mexican food, to name just a few of the options.”

But Chartwells went the extra mile, far beyond providing great and sundry food options. It helped educate King’s-Edgehill students about food, nutrition, and health. Kids learned about their food choices and what a proper diet consists of. This isn’t something you’ll get from every food service provider.

Enhancing the school’s culture

Food isn’t just an accessory. It’s an essential part of any school’s culture and community. This is something King’s-Edgehill School’s leadership recognized.

“In many respects, food services are involved in every aspect of student life,” says Seagram. “Food is a social thing. It’s a way that students can connect and bond with other students and staff. Meals and snacks are an important part of their day, and they can really affect their attitudes toward school and life, often in a good way.”

Luckily, Chartwells makes it its mission to ensure dining is a positive and meaningful experience. “Students get a 9 p.m. snack, which they love,” says Seagram. “They’re also always greeted in the morning with warm and friendly faces at breakfast. And Chartwells has cultivated a family-like, communal atmosphere in our cafeteria.”

Another way food can enhance a school’s culture is by making it a meaningful experience for everyone. “Chartwells enables us to cater to our entire population—not just students but staff and alumni as well,” says Seagram. “We have formal dinners: candlelit with a five-course meal. But in addition to fancy meals, Chartwells can also do chicken wings and chili.”

Becoming part of the family

“Hiring a food service provider is a challenge,” says Seagram. “We decided to hire people who were a good fit personality wise.”

Chartwells staff has learned the names of students at King’s-Edgehill School, just as students have learned the staff member’s names. The staff know all the students’ birthdays and they celebrate with them.

“Chartwells fully understands that food is not just food,” says Seagram. “It’s a way to interact, to communicate, and to be part of a tight-knit community. They’ve helped us provide an intimate environment. And through their warmth, vitality, and human touch they’ve become an important part of our family. We really consider them members of the King’s-Edgehill community.

Come here at halloween. Everyone’s all dressed up, including Chartwells staff. Christmas as well. They celebrate with us. Students can also make requests for meals and snacks, and they can give Keith, Chartwells chef, recipes from home. This helps students feel more comfortable and valued, and it also helps them connect, not just with each other, but with school staff and the Chartwells team.”

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