Cook Book in St Just is awarded prestigious Gold CHEFS Award
CHEFS Award Presented to the Cook Book
The Cook Book in Cape Cornwall Street, St Just has been awarded a prestigious Gold level CHEFS Award in recognition of its commitment to offering healthy menu options using locally sourced food.
The Award means that The Cook Book will be able to display the distinctive blue logo which tells customers that it has adopted and maintains a high degree of food safety and standards and provides and promotes a selection of local foods as well as using healthier cooking methods.
Cook Book owners Philippa and David James said:
“Thank you so very much for all your encouragement and help in putting The Cook Book forward for the CHEFS Award. We are amazed and delighted that, eight years after two ancient novices opened the door of our café-bookshop, it should have received such a prestigious award.
That we have achieved the GOLD Award is very largely due to the dedication and hard work of our manager, Rebecca Vosper, our small team and to the support and advice we have always received from the Environmental Health Officers over the years.
It is a great honour to receive this. We are so happy to be able to display it in The Cook Book for our guests and staff to see.”
Launched in October 2005, the Cornwall Healthier Eating and Food Safety (CHEFS) Awards are awarded by Cornwall Council’s food safety officers working with in partnership with Eatsome/NHS Health Promotion Service, change 4 life and the Council’s trading standards officers.
Cornwall Council Environmental Health Technician, Martin Holland, said:
“This is the most prestigious award we give and to achieve it food establishments must satisfy Cornwall Council food inspectors that they not only offer healthier dishes but, through preferential pricing, that they actively encourage customers to choose them.
Award winners must meet the highest standards of cleanliness and food hygiene practices, including the use of a documented food safety management system. Customers will have a guarantee that a percentage of the items on the menu are sourced locally. Well done to the staff at The Cook Book for achieving this award.”
The award has three levels: the prestigious gold award, silver and bronze. There are criteria at each level which have to be met. If a business is successful in gaining an award, it will get a certificate and a window sticker for display. It will also be added to a list of current award winners.
Cornwall Council’s Cabinet member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods, Lance Kennedy said:
“The CHEFS Award encourages businesses to promote local produce and healthier eating, which is good for the local community as a whole. I’m delighted that the Cook Book has been awarded the Gold level for their commitment to using and sourcing local produce and for its track record of high standards of cleanliness.”
Most food businesses in Cornwall can apply. There is a detailed information pack for businesses about the CHEFS Award scheme, which includes tips on using healthier ingredients and local produce, modifying recipes to cut down the amount of fat, sugar and salt, and advice about the different Trading Standards requirements required to achieve the three levels of award.
If you would like to nominate a business for the award or you run a business yourself and would like to find out more, please, e-mail: envhealthandlicensing@cornwall.gov.uk or telephone 0300 1234 212 and ask to speak to an officer in the food safety team.
