Pub in Jamie Oliver's TV show in permanent switch to school meals
The Lincolnshire pub that began providing school meals as an experiment in Jamie Oliver's last TV programme has moved into the education market full-time, Caterer can reveal.
The King's Head in Theddlethorpe, which is run by Phil and Maureen Cross, shut its doors as a pub last Tuesday. Phil said: "We did a financial overview of the whole business and the accountant told us we were losing a fortune as a pub."
The business has four local schools on its books and turns over about £6,000 a month. The pub's four drivers provide 1,000 meals a week at £1.60 a head, but the couple plan to move into larger premises and take on six more schools.
The Crosses cook all the meals themselves. "Jamie told us his recipes were idiot-proof and he was right," said Phil.
They said Oliver was planning a return visit with TV cameras.
By Chris Druce
