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To start, Jackie created a sweet chilli glazed spiral dog for the ‘grab and go’ entry. This was a dish that she designed with the help of the students from her school, Hewitt Academy, Norwich. She added: “I liked the idea of a sausage with a lovely crisp outside, The potato on the outside gives a nice texture on a skewer looks good and is not messy.”

Her main course of paprika Quorn chicken nestled on a bed of sauteed vegetables and a timbale of orzo caught the eye of the judges.

Chair of the Judges Kate Snow said: “This is only the second time SCOTY has been meat free so we're really excited to see the quality and innovation in everyone's dishes today.”

To complete the meal, Jackie’s dessert was a caramalised pineapple with coconut rice. Jackie is pictured above with judge Carole Harwood and lead judge and sponsor, Kate Snow from sponsors Quorn Foods UK.

The third heat in this year’s competition was held at Hampton College, Peterborough. Further heats will be held around the country with the final rounds being held at the LACA Main Event in July.

LACA – the school food people, was established in 1990 and is the leading professional body representing over 1000 members drawn from across the school food sector representing public sector and private contract caterers and suppliers to schools, academies and MATs across the UK.

The LACA School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) is now in its 28th year and is something of an institution in school meals catering. It has drawn national attention with the annual winners often appearing on TV to showcase the potential that lies within the school kitchen.

In a new twist for 2022, competitors are being tasked with creating a grab & go savoury snack in addition to a delicious and imaginative main meal, using at least one Quorn product in both the new grab & go item and main course and one Bisto product from a list provided in either the snack or the main course, alongside a 50% fruit-based dessert that should reflect school standards, using one Premier Foods product from a list provided.

The national final will be held at the LACA Main Event on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Thursday 7th July.

Regional final winners will each receive a £100 cash prize. At the national final, the 2022 national winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2022 LACA School Chef of the Year trophy and an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events. The national second and third place winners will receive £500 and £300 respectively.

The national final will be held at the LACA Main Event on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, you can register free to watch it live at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Thursday 7th July.