January 2008
En croute catering are thrilled to announce that we are the ONLY outside catering enterprise in Scotland to have achieved the coveted 'healthyliving' award from the Scottish Consumer Council and the Scottish Government.
The recognised apple logo 
appears on all our menus to allow you to make a decision to choose the healthy options on offer if you wish to.
July 08
The Benefits of Buying Local Food
Here are some of the reasons why en croute catering is committed to buying the best of scottish, locally grown produce:
For more detailed information please look at our environmental policy.
July 08
en croute catering limited has recently rebranded our latest refrigerated vehicle with a more comprehensive listing of our events expertise. Please give us a call on 0141 440 0114 if you see us around town in it!
July 08
GOING GREEN
It has been just a year since en croute catering limited invested in a summer graduate dedicated entirely to environmental issues. Nicola Macara put in place simple measures to improve our environmental performance and we are very proud of the way we now use raw materials, water and energy more effectively. We are partnered with PG Products who recycle more than 80% of our waste products. Over the past 12 months we have recycled:
5200 kg of cardboard
1040 kg of tin
1040 kg of polythene
1040 kg of hard plastics
in excess of 10,000 bottles and jars
We also work with our suppliers to find ways of reducing the amount of packaging used – wherever we can, we use plastic crates time and again to cut down on cardboard boxes.
All our employees are involved and waste minimization is integrated into the organizational culture. We have appointed a ‘champion' to coordinate and facilitate our waste management programme and they have eliminated plastic cups from the company – with all employees using their own favourite china mugs! A seemingly small step – but we have reduced our annual use of 10,000 paper cups down to ZERO!
Our ‘champion' has sourced amazing bio degradable plates and cups which are made from the leaves of the cassava plant – once used they just need placed back in the earth to decompose. And the best bit is that they look amazing too!
This summer we will focus on adopting a carbon labeling scheme, which is a more accurate way than food miles to measure the environmental impact of the food we are eating. This will highlight the carbon footprint of the product and will identify en croute catering limited as a company committed to environmentally-friendly policies.
We will keep you updated regularly as we strive to have exemplary eco-credentials in the future.
For more detailed information please look at our environmental policy.
MAY 08
At a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Hotel on 29th May 2008
en croute catering ltd were thrilled to be awarded two prestigious
finalist certificates
at the CIS Excellence Awards 2008
Accepting the Healthy Living Excellence Award Finalist Certificate were
Stuart McKeown
Hilary Harris
Accepting the Independent Event-Caterer of the Year Award Finalist Certificate were
Scot McGarry
Sue Whitten
Richy Kenny
The Catering in Scotland magazine and the Federation of Chefs Scotland organize the annual awards ceremony which aims to celebrate and reward the achievements of established names and emerging talent. The awards are committed to showcasing the outstanding levels of innovation and imagination that makes the catering and hospitality industry what it is today.
It was a fantastic night for everyone and to be recognized by our peers is a significant achievement for en croute catering ltd.
We pledge to maintain the high standards we have set and to move forward positively and innovatively in the coming months to prove that we are worthy and deserving recipients.
APRIL 08
Stuart McKeown represented en croute catering ltd on 29th April 2008 , when he proudly accepted our healthy living award at the official presentation ceremony at the Glasgow Piping Centre.
Special mention was made of the fact that we are the only outside caterer in Scotland to have achieved this award which recognizes our commitment to providing healthy choices and healthier production methods throughout all of our menus.
APRIL 08
en croute catering ltd are delighted to congratulate our trainee kitchen manager, Gary Rooney, on being awarded a coveted scholarship from HIT Scotland. www.hitscotland.org
The Hospitality Industry Trust acknowledges aspiring individuals by presenting international scholarships for Emerging Talent. The Trust recognizes the need to
Gary excelled throughout the interview process and won a two week trip to France later this year, where he will visit fruit, fish and meat markets within Paris and smaller farms in the French countryside. We will update you on his fantastic trip in the Autumn.
APRIL 08
In our passionate search to find innovative and exciting presentation ideas – we have come up with out most exciting discovery to date! These fantastic ice plates!
We are thrilled to be in a position to launch these amazing plates at your next event – check out our gallery for more images of this environmentally friendly concept which will make your event THE most memorable experience!
Contact our events team on – 0141 440 0257 for more information.
APRIL 08
Please note that from 1 April 2008 , our trading name has changed to en croute catering limited. All suppliers and client invoicing departments have been advised by regular mail. Should you require any further information regarding the changes, please contact Maureen MacIntyre on 0141 440 0114.
We were delighted to take a spectacular stand at
THE MAIN EVENT @ the SECC, Glasgow
on Thursday 28th Feb 08
Thank you to everyone who came along to visit us and saw some of our exciting new event ideas for 2008.
Feb 08
Following her commitment to staying at the cutting edge of catering, Hilary attended the Nutrition and Health for Caterers Developmental Conference on 21 February 2008 . This informative and interesting course run by the University of Glasgow covered:
DIETARY TARGETS FOR SCOTTISH CATERERS
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO MEET THEM?
HOW CAN WE MAKE HEALTHY EATING ATTRACTIVE TO TEENAGERS?
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES APPEALING TO A CORPORATE AUDIENCE?
As ever, the day was packed with great ideas and we will endeavour to incorporate all this new knowledge into our menus and our presentation in the coming months.
Feb 08
Price Increase
Throughout 2007, the economy continued to experience an escalation in prices across commodities, transportation and the manufacturing process. We have seen important raw materials such as butter, coffee, milk, plastics, paper and oil rise disproportionately over the last twelve months.
As reported in the FT.com Financial Times 22.01.08, the price of crude oil increased by 71.69% compared to the same period last year. Natural gas prices increased by almost 14% over the same period. Paper prices have spiraled up 39% from Jan 06-Nov 07.
en croute catering has always taken positive steps to minimize the impact of such increases to our customers and where we have felt that a product does not reflect the best value available, we have sought better value alternatives.
However, due to significant price increases from our suppliers and manufacturers – and after careful consideration and every effort possible to absorb the sustained inflationary pressure – we confirm the need to respond within the marketplace and implement a price increase accordingly.
All new prices are listed on our website and are effective from 18 February 2008.
Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly and it is our intention to review prices again in February 2009, in line with our largest manufacturing partners.
Thank you for your valued business and your continued support.
Hilary Harris
Company Owner
Feb 08
Why eat the seasons?
en croute catering are committed to using seasonal produce wherever and whenever possible.
There are a number of good reasons to eat more local seasonal food, which are...
to reduce the energy (and associated CO2 emissions) needed to grow and transport the food we eat
to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has travelled a long way
to support the local economy
to reconnect with nature's cycles and the passing of time
Jan 08
En croute catering are thrilled to announce that we are the ONLY outside catering enterprise in Scotland to have achieved the coveted 'healthyliving' award from the Scottish Consumer Council and the Scottish Government.
The recognised apple logo appears on all our menus to allow you to make a decision to choose the healthy options on offer if you wish to.