Top Class Award Winning Catering Staff

Shiplake College is delighted that three of our onsite catering staff have been acknowledged in the Thomas Franks Star Awards.  Their accolades recognise excellent employees for the huge contribution that they make. 

Shiplake is very proud to have Thomas Franks as our creative contract caterer. They cater for all our pupils in a unique, interesting and exciting way. They make every meal special and really encourage the pupils to be adventurous and try dishes made only with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that they may not have experienced elsewhere.

Thomas Franks prestigious awards are voted for by all of the firm’s clients; therefore, the competition was extremely tough. Winners from Shiplake who were announced at the Thomas Franks Company Conference were:

Blain Shepherd who was the ‘Overall Manager of the Year Independent Schools 2016’. Blain has been in post at Shiplake College for two years, and has been with Thomas Franks since he was 19. He is a credit to the Company and Shiplake – he is also the star of the Thomas Franks Company ‘Vision 2016’ video. Blain has an amazing ‘no problem attitude’ and is astoundingly efficient - both qualities that have clearly set him above the competition.

‘Senior Chef of the Year Independent Schools 2016’ was awarded to our incredible chef, Mauricio Manglicmot. Mauricio has helped to make mealtimes a dynamic and bustling experience.  He has managed to match the food to the mood. His seasonal menus cater for the full spectrum of dietary needs with fresh, seasonal produce that is cooked with passion and served with pride.

The very prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was given to Geoff Searle, who has been a Food Service Assistant in our catering department for over twenty years. Geoff was also awarded his twenty-year service certificate by The Headmaster, Gregg Davies and Blain Shepherd earlier this year. Geoff has a reputation for constantly being prepared to go that extra mile and always with a smile.