News

This was part of a special event marking the Government's new ambition to turn school food into a ‘powerful tool’ for child health and nutrition. For the chefs, it was a chance to show the Prime Minister what’s possible when the new School Food Standards are met — and exceeded.

The quartet created a series of bites, from chipotle bean tacos with guacamole and pink pickled onions, and slow cooked beef shin ragu with potato gnocchi, to barbecue jerk chicken with dumplings.

Interviewed by Dr Amir Khan for ITV’s Lorraine Show, the Prime Minister said: "There is this myth that you can't get your kids to eat good, healthy, nutritious food that's often thrown at those doing school meals. But that is not true. You can do it. It's much better food, the kids like it and that is what we've got to do across the country.”

As well as extending free school meals to all pupils whose households receive universal credit from the start of the 2026 academic year and rolling out an early adopter scheme for free universal breakfast clubs, the Government is currently undertaking its first review of the School Food Standards in over a decade. 

Scarlett and Ball both came into their work in schools via Chefs in Schools, a charity that trains chefs to ‘transform’ food, food culture, and food education in schools.

Dame Prue Leith, patron at Chefs in Schools, added: “It’s wonderful to see the Prime Minister recognising that school food matters. What children eat at school shapes not just their health, but how they learn, behave and grow.

“For years, many of us have been arguing that good food should be at the centre of education, not an afterthought. If this signals a genuine commitment to improving the quality and reach of school meals, it could transform the lives of millions of children.”