Serving Generations: Celebrating Tony – Over 40 Years in the Catering Industry

Anthony Noden—better known to everyone as Tony—is a much-loved and familiar face at Bradshaw Hall Primary School, where he has been serving up delicious meals and warm smiles for an incredible 30 years.

Image: Anthony Noden, ‘Cook in Charge’ at Bradshaw Hall Primary School.

With an impressive 41 years of experience in the catering industry, Tony joined the school in April 1996 and has since built a strong reputation as a highly skilled professional. As ‘Cook in Charge,’ he shares his culinary expertise while remaining an approachable and valued member of both TLC’s Catering team and the wider school community.

Tony’s journey in catering began working with the Salvation Army at a homeless hostel in Salford, Manchester. Reflecting on this time, Tony found great fulfilment in providing comforting meals and a friendly face to those who needed it most—values that continue to shape his work today.

Later on, Tony started his own family, he made the move into school catering, a decision that brought his professional and personal life together. Both of his children attended Bradshaw Hall Primary School, creating a special connection between his work and family life. Although Tony’s children are now grown, they still hold cherished memories of their time at the school, with their dad working proudly in the kitchen.

In the school kitchen, Tony leads with care, consistency, and pride. He oversees the preparation of meals for around 300 children each day, maintaining high quality meals while fostering a positive and supportive environment.

Image: Team Tony, From left to right Hazel Nicholson, and Jodie Peers, General Catering Assistants, with Anthony Noden, Cook in Charge, and Natalie Donoghue, General Catering Assistant.

Image: Tony, happily working in the school kitchen.

Tony’s friendly and approachable nature has made him a well-known and much-loved figure across the school—so much so that some Year 6 pupils affectionately refer to him as ‘Uncle Tony’.

Images: Tony engages with the children during mealtimes. He plays a vital role in ensuring that every child receives a healthy, enjoyable meal each day—supporting both their wellbeing and their ability to learn and thrive.

When asked about his favoutite dish to prepare Tony shared; “I love making homemade cheese and tomato pizza for the children. Making it from scratch makes all the difference to the taste, the children love it, and seeing their smiles make it all worthwhile.”

When asked what he is most proud of, Tony said:

“I take great satisfaction in knowing that the children have a positive experience at mealtimes and they appreciate what I do.”

Having spent more than three decades at the same school, Tony has served multiple generations of families. Many parents dropping off their children today fondly remember Tony from their own school days—something that speaks volumes about the lasting impact he has had within the community.

Michele Carrington, Administration Manager, Bradshaw Hall Primary School shared;

“Tony Noden is a wonderful man who is an asset to our school. He’s kind and patient with everybody. He makes a legendary Pizza, and I love it when he sings in his opera voice in the kitchen whilst he’s working; that’s really unique!”.

What changes has Tony seen over the years?

When it comes to school meals, Tony has witnessed significant changes over the years, including the impact of Jamie Oliver’s 2005 “Feed Me Better” campaign. Sparked by Jamie’s School Dinners, the initiative brought national attention to the widespread use of low-quality processed food in schools and helped drive major improvements. It prompted the introduction of stricter nutritional standards, secured £280 million in funding for school kitchens, and encouraged a move towards freshly prepared, healthier meals for pupils.

Tony said; “Over the years, we’ve seen real progress in the quality of ingredients used in school meals, all driven by a shared commitment to giving children the very best. Here in Stockport, we’re proud to be ahead of the curve. At Totally Local Company, our focus is on making sure every meal we serve is nutritious, healthy and, just as importantly, something tasty that pupils genuinely enjoy.”

Beyond his daily role, Tony is always happy to lend a hand at school events, including the annual Summer and Christmas Fairs. His dedication goes far beyond the kitchen, reflecting his genuine commitment to the school and its community.

Reaching the milestone of over four decades in catering—and 30 years at Bradshaw Hall Primary School—is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to Tony’s professionalism, dedication, and passion for his work.

As Tony continues to serve the school community, his legacy is already firmly established—not just in the thousands of meals he has prepared, but in the countless lives he has touched along the way.

We are extremely proud of Tony and thank him for his hard work and dedication over so many years.