Gaelscoil pupils give new school meals thumbs up
Food critics, John Mac Connuibh and Cameron Ó Dhubhshláine-Boran
THE school meals scheme’s hot meals recently came to Gaelscoil Eoghan Uí Thuairisc in Carlow, with Bradbury’s of Athy supplying a variety of dishes to suit all palates. We asked four pupils what they thought.
Sister and brother Abigail (11) and John Cunniffe (7) reviewed the new hot meals for The Nationalist. Abigail’s favourite meal is the chicken curry. She gives it an impressive 11/10, while John also highly rates it, giving it a 9/10. However, it’s his least favourite, a man of plainer tastes, he loves the plain pasta best.
Abigail says that, compared with dinners at home, the meals are “good but different” and the portions are up to scratch, with John saying there’s enough so he’s not hungry afterwards and Abigail adding “just the perfect amount.” When asked if they’d like to see any additions to the menu, the answer was unanimous: pizza. However, Abigail wanted extra cheese, while John prefers his without.
“And then I’d ask the school to do a vote on what they want,” Abigail magnanimously added.
“It does make the morning routine easier, they're not really eating anything new, but I would recommend the hot meals â the food seems decent and there is some variety,” says dad John.
Sister and brother Emily (10) and Cameron Delaney-Boran (7) also reviewed the hot meals for . The chicken curry is a consistent winner, getting 9.5/10 from Emily and 10/10 from Cameron.
Emily wasn’t keen on the mashed potato with vegetables, rating it the worst and nominating it for a ban, while the beef burrito bowl isn’t a particular favourite of Cameron, who would like to see it removed from the menu and replaced with spicy chicken noodles. Emily’s vote is for fish and chips as a new menu addition.
They both say their friends are also enjoying the new hot meals, but unlike John and Abigail, this brother and sister duo wouldn’t be averse to slightly larger portions, adding that they’re “still a little hungry” afterwards. Overall, they say the new meals are “definitely better” than the previous cold lunches.
How do the meals compare to mum and dad’s cooking? “Totally different,” says Emily, while Cameron thinks it’s only “a little different.” “It’s definitely easier than the cold lunches, but I still add fresh salad, chopped peppers or some fruit, plus yoghurt for balance,” said mum Lorraine.
“We’re a little more adventurous in our food choices at home, but I’d definitely recommend the hot meals to other parents.”
