CalMac puts focus on healthy eating on-board

A healthier approach to food on-board Caledonian MacBrayne ferries has been recognised by a national NHS-backed scheme.

All 10 of CalMac's Mariners Cafes on-board its major vessels have achieved Healthy Living Awards for their compliance with a strict set of criteria for both ingredients and cooking methods of dishes served on board.

With healthier living rarely out of the headlines, CalMac's cooks and catering staff have been working away on all kinds of new menu items which passengers can now expect to find on board. New dishes being served up that meet the new healthier living brief include piri piri chicken and a selection of tasty noodle pots.

The Healthy Living Awards scheme demands a different approach to menu items with a series of rigorous checks in place to ensure that dishes which are declared as Healthy Living use healthy cooking techniques are used, certain ingredients are limited - like salt or sugar, for example - and that meat is lean.

It is a sea change in cookery on the vessels and one which both customers and staff will notice.

While passengers will enjoy new menu additions, staff will benefit from the changes in cooking techniques, which should see many of their traditional favourites become healthier.

"We are keenly committed to promoting a choice of healthy options for our customers," said Gordon Smith, CalMac's Retail Development Manager. "Our cooks have been very enthusiastic and have thrown themselves into developing new dishes, as well as refining the way that they cook.

"CalMac already uses quality products in its food and this combined with our revised cooking techniques offers customers more choice and an assurance that we take healthy eating and a healthier lifestyle seriously."

Picture shows: CalMac senior stewards Natalie MacAffer and John McKinlay join chief cook John Fitzgerald to show off a sample of the new healthy menu choices.

Anne Lee, Manager, healthy living award at NHS Health Scotland said:

"In 2015 CalMac committed to achieving the healthy living award across its fleet.This hard work has now paid off, with all 10 of the company's Mariners Cafeterias gaining the accreditation - a fantastic achievement. This will mean that their customers can now enjoy a healthier choice when travelling with them. Well done to the catering teams in each of the ferries."