A TRAINED baker who has been cooking up a treat for schoolchildren over three decades has been honoured.

Keeping little tummies full has been a lifetime’s work for Jan Hamer, school cook from Little Sutton C of E Primary School, who picked up a certificate for 30 years’ of loyal service at the Edsential Catering Awards at Cheshire View.

Mrs Hamer has been serving up tasty school lunches at Cheshire primary schools for 30 years, with the last five years at Little Sutton C of E Primary School.

Pupils of Little Sutton have enjoyed all manner of delicious food with a big focus on special themed days including a recent Italian day, complete with Italian-themed bread and biscuits.

Little Sutton C of E’s Silverbirch Year 6 class, who are leaving for their new high schools at the end of the summer term, were also treated to a celebration cake with each individual child’s name piped on to a gold iced star.

Pupils of the school are also regularly served healthy fruit and vegetables carved into imaginative designs.

Mrs Hamer said: “I really enjoy the creative side of the job and making the food look appealing and interesting for the children.

"If having a Petunia Pumpkin, Polly Parsnip and Marvin Marrow, or some melon shaped as hearts encourages children to give a new vegetable a go, then I’m all for it!"

But it’s not just about the working day for Mrs Hamer who also gets involved in all aspects of school life.

Mrs Hamer added: “There’s a real sense of community here at Little Sutton. Whether it’s providing the food for a school picnic in our lovely grounds, or going along to the summer fair with cake and biscuits to sell, I enjoy getting involved and helping out where I can.

"The children, parents, staff and community is what makes Little Sutton C of E such a nice place to work at.”

Tracy Moore, head of catering at Edsential, said: “I would like to congratulate Jan Hamer on her long service award, for over 30 years of service.

"Edsential were thrilled to hold our first catering awards to recognise, acknowledge and congratulate the exemplary work our staff do in producing over 25,000 school meals every day.

"We recognise that for our business to be successful, and for us to offer our customers consistently high standards of service, we require the loyalty of our people. Our staff remain our most important asset and I was delighted to recognise their commitment and loyalty.”