Malvern Theatres, along with catering partner Lindley Heritage, has just become the first theatre in the UK to gain the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark award, while it is also the first Catering Mark accreditation for The Lindley Group.
Malvern Theatres has received the prestigious Silver Food for Life Catering Mark for serving fresh and healthy meals that only use sustainable fish and meat, which is Farm Assured, at its Scene Bistro managed by Lindley Heritage – the specialist arts, leisure, heritage and visitor attraction division of The Lindley Group, which earlier this month (April) became part of the global hospitality provider Centerplate.
Locally sourced seasonal produce
The accreditation recognises the commitment of both parties to ensuring that the Scene Bistro menus focus on high quality, freshly-prepared food using British and locally-sourced seasonal produce which includes local cheeses from the Cheese Cellar; salmon smoked at the Severn & Wye Valley Smokery; the award-winning cider produced from ‘blossom to bottle’ by Knights Cider Co at Crumpton Oaks Farm at nearby Storridge; and Holywell Malvern Spring Water. The organic cheese and bread offered at the Scene Bistro have also played a key role in receiving the Silver Food for Life Catering Mark as serving organic products is a pre-requisite of being awarded the silver standard.
Scene Bistro
Lindley has been the catering partner at the prestigious West Midlands arts centre since 2005 and, following a £4 million contract extension in 2011, Lindley Heritage invested £50,000 in converting the Malvern Theatres Restaurant into a contemporary 80-cover dining area which was re-branded as the Scene Bistro.
Menus are regularly refreshed to make the most of seasonal produce, and Lindley Heritage also creates occasional themed menus which are linked to productions being staged at the theatre.
Nic Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Malvern Theatres, says: “We’re delighted with the work Lindley Heritage has put into the refurbishment of the Scene Bistro and the emphasis they have put on using local produce.
“It’s very rewarding that our commitment to serving fresh and healthy meals made with local and organic ingredients has been recognised by the Silver Food for Life Catering Mark, and it really is a true accolade for Malvern Theatres to become the first theatre in the UK to receive this accreditation. We hope our customers will enjoy their meals all the more knowing that they are made with a selection of local and organic ingredients.”
The importance of the Catering Mark
Explaining the importance of the Catering Mark, Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification, says: “The Silver Catering Mark is a fantastic achievement which recognises the vital role that fresh, local and organic food play in healthy, planet-friendly menus. Serving menus to Silver Catering Mark standards supports local businesses and reassures customers that all meals are free from GM ingredients.
“The Food for Life Catering Mark brings together all of the issues people care about – health, climate change and animal welfare. It recognises restaurants and caterers who serve fresh food which is free from controversial additives and better for animal welfare. More and more, people want to know where their food comes from and how it was produced. The Food for Life Catering Mark offers a guarantee that fresh food you can trust is always on the menu, so customers can tuck in with a clear conscience.”