SPICY SHAKE-UP IN CANTEEN

By Gavin Pearce

Harrow students have forced a menu shake-up after slating the cost and quality of canteen food.

On Wednesday the canteen manager revealed that the Harrow Campus Refrectory would offer a wider choice of grub next term including international "theme" food, following a month long campus survey.

But prices will remain the same under the new proposals, despite calls for cheaper nosh.

Venda Bedier, Canteen Manager, said students regularly complain about quality and price.

She said: "People say the food is bland and expensive and whatever, but I am doing my best. I can't please everyone. However, now there will be a big change."

Ms Bedia said she is moving pastries, like pies and sausage rolls, to a smaller counter and promised a choice of five dishes instead of the current one each day. There will also be two day “theme” periods, including Italian, Chinese and Mexican dishes.

Questionnaires also demanded more vegetarian meals and a salad bar.

Arif Ali, a computer science student, is a vegetarian and a regular customer. He welcomed the plans, but was concerned the improvements would lead to a price hike.

Mr Ali said: “Due to my diet I’m obviously pleased that there will be more variety. I’m just worried that the new food will even more expensive than it is now.”

But the company in charge of the canteen, called Scolarest, said the new menu would not affect food prices.

General catering manager, John Farrington, said: “The introduction of a greater variety of healthy foods is in response to the student demand – it’s not a ploy to increase prices.”