When cook Anne Griffiths packs up her pinny, puts away her pots and pans, and hangs up her ladle for the last time she will have served around one million tasty meals to generations of children at Newington Community Primary School in Ramsgate.
This summer popular Anne retires after overseeing the preparation, cooking and serving of around 500 meals a day for ten years in the kitchen.
Anne, from Minster, has been the head of a team of six kitchen staff and has also worked in catering in the health service.
She said: “When I think about leaving I get very emotional.
“This is a brilliant place to work and the people and children are lovely – I have absolutely loved my time at Newington.”
The children are very clear of what they think of the wide food choice they have every day. Jaiden, aged 10, spoke for his fellow pupils, saying: “The food we have is out of this world.”
Head teacher Cliff Stokes said: “Anne cares so deeply about the children and she knows them all by name and makes it a priority to understand all their food needs and preferences.
“There is never a day when she is not smiling and friendly, and along with the kitchen team provides nutritious and tasty food as well as specialist themed menus all year round.”