A school catering company has won more than 100 new contracts in the past year.

Dolce Catering, which is based in Lowton Business Park, is now in its 25th year, and will see revenue reach a record £65million for 2024/25 as a result of new business wins.

As a new academic year gets underway, the company, which provides meals to schools across England and Wales, is reporting a bumper year and more job opportunities.

The company works with more than 650 primary and secondary schools, providing 125,000 meals for pupils every day, and has a 2,500-strong team.

The number of employees has increased by 20 percent in the last 12 months.

Dolce invented online pre-order and cashless payment systems in primary schools, as well as online ordering with digital weigh-out, which has been instrumental in combatting food waste in schools.

Ben Woodward, Dolce Catering COO (Image: Dolce)

The company has won various accolades including a Catey Award for ‘Best Use of Technology’ and an EDUcatering award for ‘Innovation’.

Scott Curtis, managing director of Dolce, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have innovated some of the biggest developments in the history of the education catering sector.

"Online pre-order and cashless payment systems are now commonplace, but at the time of conception it was revolutionary.

"It’s our approach to look at things differently and break new ground, combined with our commitment to providing the best possible service, that has fuelled our steadfast growth in recent years."

The company's roots as a family business means they focus on creating an environment where talent can be nurtured and developed.

The company's recent growth has led to the appointment of Ben Woodward as the new chief operating officer.

Mr Woodward has previously held senior roles at Elior, Compass Group, and Sodexo.

He said: "I’m thrilled to step into the role after a rewarding four years with Dolce already.

"It’s been incredible to be part of the growth we’ve achieved in recent years.

"I’m looking forward to continuing to help drive our great business forward and ensure we continue to keep pace with our customers' ever-evolving needs."

Mr Curtis added: "We’re aware that having the very best team is what enables us to flourish as a business.

"Developing homegrown talent and also unearthing the very best individuals within the industry to come and join us, is a core part of our business growth strategy.

"We’re committed to investing in our staff, and providing them with pathways to thriving careers."

Dolce was founded by Dan Curtis in 1999 after he spent time learning from Italian restaurateurs.

The company's catering is based on the Italian approach to food creation, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and perfecting the taste.

They aim to provide meals cooked fresh from raw ingredients, packed full of taste and nutrients.

Mr Curtis continues: "Secondary school pupils want to eat from on-trend eateries that look like the brands they see on the high streets and on social media.

"Our design and fit-out service isn’t about changing a few signs; it’s a complete overhaul including flooring, cladding, seating, and lighting.

"We have a diversely skilled team with a wealth of experience behind them, having worked on well-known TV sets, Glastonbury festival stages, and Morrisons café fit-outs.

"As we offer this in-house, our customers can come to us and get their whole catering offering managed – from the food to the design – under one roof."

The company operates from three hubs in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, and East Midlands, serving schools across England and Wales.