Calles Bistro at the Carl Engström school in Eslöv, Sweden has been awarded the prestigious Green School Meal of the Year 2023. The announcement was made at the award ceremony of White Guide Junior in Lund on Tuesday evening.
The staff at Calles Bistro, including Karolina Röstling, Diza Nystedt, Yadi Andersson, and Isabel Brandin, along with representatives from Orkla Foods, proudly accepted the award in a tough competition. The municipality’s meal manager, Marina Rahm, expressed her immense pride and happiness for the well-deserved recognition.
Calles Bistro stood out among the competitors due to its commitment to sustainability and the understanding of plant-based food. The restaurant grows its own vegetables and herbs, creating a farm-to-table experience for the students. The jury’s motivation stated that the school cultivates an appreciation for plant-based food and creates a positive relationship with the students.
In addition to winning the Green School Meal of the Year award, Calles Bistro was also nominated in the Climate Idea of the Year category at the awards ceremony. Norrevångsskolan, another school in Eslöv, was nominated for Sustainable Public Restaurant of the Year. Marina Rahm herself was recognized as one of the top three nominees for Meal Manager of the Year in Sweden.
The nominations alone were considered significant achievements and provided inspiration for the staff to continue creating excellent meals for the students.
To celebrate the victory, Calles Bistro’s employees, along with the municipality’s former food inspiration and the bistro’s former head chef, Mattias Buttler, who recently left his position, have planned a special celebration.
The competition, organized by White Guide Junior, aims to raise the quality of public gastronomy by showcasing and promoting excellent examples of school food in Sweden. Throughout the year, the jury visited approximately 250 preschools and schools across the country. They evaluate not only the taste and nutritional content of the meals but also the mealtime environment, educational collaborations, municipal investments, and sustainability efforts that enhance the students’ mealtime experience.
Receiving the Green School Meal of the Year award is a significant achievement for Calles Bistro and highlights their dedication to providing healthy and sustainable meals to students.