Food
At Charterhouse, food is central to the boarding experience – thoughtfully prepared, beautifully served, and always enjoyed together.
Our chefs take pride in offering a diverse, nutritious menu that reflects both quality and choice. Every meal is freshly prepared on-site using seasonal ingredients, with a focus on balance, flavour and variety.
Whether it’s a traditional roast, a vibrant curry, or a simple pasta dish done well, our food is designed to nourish and satisfy. Mealtimes at Charterhouse are more than routine; they are an integral part of our community life.
They offer structure, conversation, and a moment to pause. We also celebrate food as an occasion – from house dinners to themed evenings, our dining experience reflects the rhythm and spirit of the school year.
Breakfast is generous and varied, giving pupils the energy to start the day with focus and confidence.
Lunch offers a range of hot and cold options, including vegetarian and international dishes, a salad bar and lighter options.
Homebill (dinner) provides a welcome pause, with comforting meals shared among friends in a relaxed setting.
Above all, food at Charterhouse helps create a sense of belonging. It brings people together, supports wellbeing, and ensures that every Carthusian, whether day or boarding, feels at home.
During the school day, Charterhouse offers a range of food suitable for everyone. As a boarder, I am always able to find food that I love for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My most favourite dish at School is the waffles or pancakes for breakfast with maple syrup, chocolate, or berry sauce!'
SE, Year 11 Pupil
A Flavour of What is on Offer
Our example menu provides a glimpse at the variety of catering that is on offer for each of our pupils.
What we Offer?
With a community of over 1,000, we cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, including lactose intolerance, gluten-free and Halal. Menus are rotated on a 3-week basis to provide continuous variety. Wherever possible, ingredients are locally sourced. Our chefs create recipes and use cooking methods that minimise the amount of salt, sugar and saturated fats in our food. We only use free-range eggs, and all our UK-sourced meat is Red Tractor labelled.
We strive to deliver the best catering possible and are always looking at options for improvement. The Director of Catering welcomes the opportunity to talk to both parents and pupils about the catering service and any special dietary needs.
Nutrition: Healthy Food, Healthy Mind
Our very own in-house Nutritionist is based on campus all year round, constantly providing expertise and oversight to ensure that the food our pupils eat is as balanced and nutritious as possible.
In addition, they provide invaluable extra-curricular programmes, providing nutrition education across campus. From cooking courses, to a Nutrition Society and themed food pop-ups (exam-time nutritional advice, healthy snacking, good hydration), we deliver health by stealth knowledge wherever we can, because we know that if our young people are properly fuelled, they perform better in every part of their School day.
A good understanding of positive nutrition has the potential to impact the entire life of each of our pupils. Our health by stealth approach aims to ensure that good habits are formed young.
During day-to-day School life, we know that good nutrition fundamentally changes how you feel, and therefore how you perform.
Jess Greaves, our in-house nutritionist
