Catering | Independent School Taunton

Queen's College > Catering

The Dining Hall provides restaurant-quality meals that are delicious, balanced and nutritious, Dishes are freshly prepared from scratch, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the food counters are always abundant with varied dishes to suit everyone’s tastes. Lunch includes a choice of three hot main courses, accompanied by various side dishes. The extensive salad bar is always imaginative, in addition to freshly made soup accompanied with home-baked bread. Students can enjoy options from the jacket potato and pasta bar, which features a variety of topping daily. The dessert counter (a highlight amongst the pupils!) showcases homemade hot and cold treats.

All dishes are clearly labelled to help students make informed choices, and special dietary needs are carefully catered for through tried-and-tested procedures. Understanding that meal times are an important social and nutritional part of the day, the team is always prepared to adapt dishes to meet individual preferences and requirements.

Menus are thoughtfully created each term by the Executive Chef, incorporating seasonal ingredients and feedback from the student Food Councils. To inspire adventurous eating, World Food Day every Thursday showcases authentic global dishes such as Char Sui from China or Pierogi from Poland, encouraging students to broaden their culinary horizons. Of course, classic favourites are always available to ensure every student leaves satisfied.

Nutrition – The importance of a balanced diet

A balanced and varied diet is essential for supporting pupils’ growth, development, behaviour, and educational achievement. At Queen’s College, the right environment, education, and food options are provided to help students form healthy eating habits—an integral skill that benefits them throughout life.

The catering team is dedicated to delivering nutritionally balanced meals, designing menus to align with the departments nutritional guidelines, which are regularly updated and reflect the latest recommendations for healthy eating in children and teenagers.

Queen’s College takes pride in sourcing the finest ingredients from high-quality local and regional suppliers, who not only provide excellent produce but also support the school with educational demonstrations. By increasing students’ understanding of food origins, the school encourages a more adventurous approach to dining.

The catering team works closely with students through the Student Food Council, to ensure the right variety, portion sizes, and menu options are available. Initiatives such as the tasting table introduce seasonal ingredients each term, fostering curiosity and a willingness to try new foods.

Dietary Requirements & Food Hygiene

The catering team is committed to catering for special dietary requirements, ensuring all pupils with allergies or preferences is provided with safe and suitable meal options. All dishes are clearly labelled to help students make informed choices, and special dietary needs are carefully catered for through tried-and-tested procedures. Understanding that meal times are an important social and nutritional part of the day, the team is always prepared to adapt dishes to meet individual preferences and requirements. The Dining Hall and Pre-Prep Dining Hall each have a five-star hygiene rating following inspections by the Food Standards Agency, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of food safety and quality.

Queen's Catering Team

Jordan Bradley – Executive Head Chef

Jordan joined Queens back in August 2021. He has been in the Cheffing world for over 25 years originally being inspired by his Grandfather who was also a career Chef. Raymond Blanc, who came from France in the early seventies was also another big inspiration.
After studying at SCAT he worked his way up and gained his stripes grafting in diverse businesses, from independent fine dining restaurants in various locations within the UK to Butlins at Minehead that serves thousands of meals a day. Jordan opened and headed up the kitchen as Head Chef at the Cosy Club, Taunton, which was the UKs first. Jordan’s love of world food was ignited when he trained and worked in Goa, India.
Jordan was born in Somerset but has lived in various locations in the UK from Portsmouth to Edinburgh. He has two young children and lives in Taunton.

Andy Parton- General Catering Manager

Joined Queen’s in April ‘23, previously working for over 30 years in many different areas of the hospitality industry. From restaurants and bars to airports, High St. brands and independent restaurants. Andy says ‘ I love working at Queens as it’s a busy catering operation and there’s never a dull moment’. I love seeing satisfied customers and I enjoy making improvements and changes’. Andy is from Birmingham originally and has lived mainly in the home counties for most of his working life but now resides in Ashill close to Ilminster. He has two sons studying at Bristol University.

Sample Menus

Nursery Sample Menu

Breakfast Sample Menu

Pre-Prep Sample Lunch Menu

Lunch Sample Menu

Dinner Sample Menu