College to host school chef cook-off
BRITAIN’S top ten school chefs will compete for the national title of LACA School Chef of the Year 2018 at Stratford-upon-Avon College.
The competition has been organised by LACA (Lead Association for CAtering in Education) and takes place on Thursday, 8th March.
Among the finalists will be Southam Primary School’s Tanya Malone who will represent the West Midlands region, and among the judges will be pupils from Alveston Primary School.
The school chefs will have a maximum spend of £1.30 and just one-and-a-half hours to prepare their dishes, and each is expected to produce a healthy, balanced two-course meal comprising of a main course and dessert that would appeal to eleven year olds in school.
The nutritional content of contestants’ dishes must comply with the School Food Standards and take into account the Eat Well Guide 2016.
The judges also want to see evidence of use of locally-sourced ingredients and the use of sustainable products.
The 2018 champion will receive a £1,000 cash prize and be awarded the LACA 2018 School Chef of the Year trophy.
He or she will also receive a commemorative plaque, a work experience trip and an invitation to a calendar of high profile catering industry engagements between 2018-2019. Second and third place will receive a cash prize of £500 and £300, respectively.
Other finalists are: Donna Spiers from Nottingham, Michael Goulston from Stevenage, Michelle Creed from Romford, Abdul Mahdoul, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Justyna Rutkowska from Warrington), Ouafa Bahloul from Surrey, Tracey Ford from Dorset, Leanne Rees-Sheppard from Glamorgan, and Amanda Phillips from Doncaster.
Tim Blowers, LACA national chairman, said: “School meals play a pivotal role in laying the foundations for children’s future eating habits and their long-term health.
“Not only do our frontline chefs prepare tasty and imaginative dishes to tempt discerning taste buds but also nutritious meals that can make a major contribution towards altering eating habits and establishing balanced diets.
"Every contestant who has taken part this year should be applauded and all should be recognised as inspirational role models for the food and beverage service in schools nationwide. My best wishes go to all ten.”
The full judging panel is Justin Clarke, food development chef for competition sponsors MAGGI at Nestlé Professional, Wayne Child, a Fellow Craft Guild of Chefs, Jacqui Webb of LACA, Carol Harwood, education catering consultant, Beth Hooper, nutrition manager at Nestlé Professional, and the 2017 LACA School Chef of the Year, Tracy Healy from West Yorkshire.