# Supporting Zest Catering’s Dynamic School Kitchens with The Chef Tree School Chefs

Client: Zest School Catering

Zest Catering, part of the Futura Learning Partnership, oversees 12 school kitchens in the Bristol and Bath area, providing up to 2,800 meals daily across primary and secondary schools. When unexpected absences or illnesses disrupted their kitchens, Zest needed a reliable school chef agency to step in and ensure no meal service was compromised. For the past 22 months, The Chef Tree has been their trusted partner, delivering high-quality chef support when it mattered most.

Challenge: Finding skilled chefs to cover last-minute sickness or absences

Managing a diverse catering operation means Zest frequently faces staffing gaps due to sickness or absences. With limited options to shuffle existing staff across sites, finding skilled chefs at short notice became a pressing issue. Sinan, Trust Catering Operations Manager, explained, “It’s a costly exercise for us, but at times, we simply don’t have enough qualified hands to put meals on the counter.”

The Solution: Providing a personalised approach, through a quick and quality service.

When Sinan joined Zest – Futura Learning Partnership, The Chef Tree was already a trusted supplier, thanks to their quick response times and quality service. The Chef Tree’s personalised approach and emphasis on quality chefs stood out. Sinan noted, “Orla and the team are fantastic—they respond to late-night emails and always resolve cover by the next morning. Their chefs are professional and ask the right questions, such as food intolerances and allergies.”

Results: The Chef Tree provided Zest with continued assistance, with core values being at the forefront.

Thanks to The Chef Tree, Zest has seamlessly managed to provide high-quality meals, even during unexpected disruptions. Sinan praised the chef agency for its professional chefs and the positive impact they’ve had on meal services: “The students have noticed the difference, particularly at SPL, where the improvement has been 100%. The chefs are highly skilled, and their professionalism is evident in how they handle allergies and intolerances.”

Beyond chef support, The Chef Tree’s commitment to building relationships and maintaining a personal touch has made a significant impression. “Their core values—courtesy, teamwork, efficiency—shine through in every interaction. They feel more personal and responsive than some of the bigger agencies I’ve worked with.”

Client Testimonial:

“The Chef Tree is amazing. Their chefs are professional, courteous, and always prepared. Orla is a fantastic asset to their team and ensures our needs are always met. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”
— Sinan, Trust Catering Operations Manager, Zest-in house Catering.

Sound like a chef you might need to support your School Kitchen? Get in touch for more information.

The Chef Tree – Southwest Office: 071 8604 611 West Midlands Office: 0121 227 4979

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