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Meet Jake Phipps, Senior Sous-chef at Mill Hill School. We spoke to Jake to find out a bit more about him and his role.
How long have you worked at Mill Hill School?
I have worked at Mill Hill School for three and a half years. I am the senior sous-chef. This means that I have a managerial role alongside preparing food.
What does your role involve?
I am responsible for running lunchtime food production at Mill Hill School. I am proud to say that we make our food from scratch and it is always fresh. This means I arrive at 6:30 am to prepare the food. Providing our pupils and staff with tasty and nutritious meals makes waking up early extremely worthwhile!
I also help with menu planning and the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
What is your favourite thing at Mill Hill School?
Receiving positive feedback from parents, pupils and staff is incredibly rewarding. The team puts care and thought into all of the food we serve. It feels amazing when people take the time to let us know that they’ve enjoyed their meal.
Do you have any advice for our pupils which could help them to get the most out of their time at Mill Hill School?
Eat a good nutritious breakfast! This will help our pupils to start their day with a clear mind and approach their studies in the best way possible. A typical day at Mill Hill School is packed with informative lessons, sports and other activities, so eating the right food is crucial to keep you feeling energised and ready to take on the day.
What is your favourite book and film for our pupils and why?
My favourite film is ‘No Country for Old Men’. If you’re studying film or media this is a particularly good film to watch. It does a fantastic job of creating tension and effectively using camera angles. Although, it is rated 15 and so, will not be suitable for all of our pupils!
Could you share an inspirational quote with us? How does it inspire you?
“Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” Whilst at school I was involved in sports. One of my coaches used to say this and it inspired me to progress. It instilled in me the mindset that losing is not the end of the world and there is a bigger picture. This helped me learn from my mistakes and improve my performance.
Can you tell us something that we might not know about you?
I was on the England Squash Youth Team! I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing squash. It is not something that many children pursue but it is a really fun sport which trains both the mind and body.
Do you have a helpful tip for our pupils to manage exam stress?
My teachers always advised me to remain calm and follow my instincts during exams. Sitting examinations can feel overwhelming, but Mill Hill School pupils work hard and have access to outstanding teachers. It is important to not overcomplicate things and simply focus on putting your hard work into practice during the exam.
The food at Mill Hill School is always exceptional, and it was wonderful to get to know Jake.
