The names of the 37 school chefs who have made it through to the LACA School Chef of the Year (#SCOTY) regional finals for 2025 have been revealed!
The regional heats are taking place in March, April and May.
The competition, which is sponsored by Bisto from Premier Foods Foodservice, asks chefs to prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.70 per head in 90 minutes that meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide.
The winner of each of the nine regional finals will receive £100 and advance to the national final, which is being held at the LACA Main Event on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole.
School catering providers can register for free entry to the School Food Show, taking place alongside the Main Event this July and see the SCOTY finalists in action.
The overall winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2025 LACA School Chef of the Year trophy and an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events. Second and third place at the national final will receive £500 and £300 respectively.
Sadia Allam, foodservice channel controller at Premier Foods, said: “LACA School Chef of the Year has been one of the highlights of the school catering calendar for many years and so we are excited that Bisto is sponsoring the event again this year.
“We’ll be supporting and celebrating the chefs who get involved throughout the process and can’t wait to be part of the judging panel to help find the next star of school meals. It’s a great way to test and develop your skills whilst potentially putting your school on the map.”
Meet this year's finalists: https://lnkd.in/ggbeBf7Q
