7 Highlights of Our Newly Renovated Junior School Cafeteria

After much anticipation, the doors of our newly revamped Junior School cafeteria have finally opened to welcome our Junior School students to their vibrant lunchtime space, Lakeside.

At Dulwich College Beijing, our students are at the heart of everything we do, and the transformation of various community spaces across the College was part of a two-year plan to help enhance our students’ experience. The renovation of the Junior School cafeteria marks the final phase of this two-year initiative, which also included upgrades to the Senior School cafeteria, the rebirth of the Legends Café, an updated Senior School café, and the enhancement of our parent volunteer-run café, Coffee & Books.

Choice, Quality and Health

According to Director of Business and Administration Rob Matheson, there are three main priorities when it came to the food: Choice, Quality, and Health.

Choice: “Students now have double the menu choices from previous years, including a vegetarian station. Hungry students can refill their plate for free should they choose to do so,” explained Mr Matheson.

Quality: When it comes to quality, Mr Matheson explained that extensive research had gone into providing a new menu by our new chef. Students will also get to savour dishes made from high quality ingredients, ensuring that not only do our students get great-tasting food, but also more nutritious food.

Health: But that's not all. He added that in addition to the already healthy options, an extensive salad bar has been added that is free with every meal chosen. “This means every meal can be a healthy option for students,” he explained.

Sustainability

Sustainability was also a factor in the preparation of this space. In line with the College’s efforts in minimising food waste, Mr Matheson revealed that our educators and canteen staff will actively encourage students to take only what they need. To make this initiative engaging, each House now has its own intelligent food bin, an initiative that began in the Senior School. These bins measure discarded leftovers as part of a House competition, making food waste awareness exciting, interactive and educational.

Design

Skylights and even brighter colours now light up the room, with House banners lined up on one wall and diverse types of furniture such as cosy booths to communal tables around the dining space. The space is more than just a place to eat; it’s also where students can relax, socialise, and recharge.

Choosing Meals Just Got Easier

Greeting students at the entrance of the cafeteria are food selection stations displaying the day’s meal options. Colour-coded tokens match the kitchen serving stations, making it easy for even the youngest students to navigate their various food options seamlessly.

Increased Serving Capacity and Shorter Queue Lengths

The cafeteria has expanded from two serving stations to seven, reducing congestion around food stations and significantly improving the flow of students. Among these new stations is an expanded salad bar, featuring a much larger selection of fresh ingredients to cater to diverse dietary preferences and encourage healthy eating habits.

At Dulwich College Beijing, we believe that well-planned community spaces, such as our new Junior School cafeteria, are integral to the student experience. These spaces do more than just meet nutritional needs. They provide opportunities for social interaction, offer a mental break, and contribute to an environment where students can flourish both academically and personally.