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Ward has won the prestigious SCOTY trophy, £1,000 cash prize and an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events. The competition aims to showcase the hard work of individuals around the country who ensure that schoolchildren are fed hot, healthy and nutritious school meals.

This is the second year in a row that a wildcard entrant has gone on to lift the SCOTY trophy following Jennifer Brown’s success last year. Ward finished as the runner-up in the East of England regional final, which took place in March.

Ward’s main course was pork bao bun, spring onion puree and rainbow slaw. For dessert she created sweet nacho chips, lime mousse and fruit salsa. She also had success in Finishing Touches Salon Culinaire where she achieved Best in Class in two categories.

Commenting on winning the SCOTY title, Ward said: “I am overwhelmed, I wasn’t expecting it at all. This is my first year doing SCOTY. I didn’t expect to get through the paper entry and I didn’t win my final, I was a wildcard. I am shocked and super proud that I won it. I am super excited.

“It went surprisingly well. My nerves were against me but I pushed through and got in the zone and just tried to cook. I enjoyed myself and I am proud I put myself through it for the experience and winning is a lovely outcome.

“I made pork bao buns, which is something we love to eat at home, and I know the kids at school love street food. To help get vegetables in I did a rainbow slaw and I used a sauce using all the spring onions and carrots to minimise waste and maximise yield. The dessert was made to get children excited about being healthy. The novelty factor helped sell it to the children.”

The competition 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 competition was open to all kitchen-based staff involved in the daily preparation of pupils’ meals in schools across the UK whether from a local authority or contract-catered site, managed in-house, academy school or part of a Multi-Academy Trust. 

Judith Gregory, LACA national chair, commented: “This year’s finalists have once again raised the bar, showcasing the creativity, skill and passion that make school food such a vital part of children’s lives. Erin demonstrated outstanding culinary expertise and a real understanding of what truly engages and excites pupils."

This competition was judged by head judge Lousie Wagstaffe as well as Carol Harwood as LACA judge, Marcus Appleton from the Worshipful Company of Cooks of London who support the competition and 2024 SCOTY winner Jennifer Brown. SCOTY is the education catering sector’s premier culinary skills competition.

Wagstaffe added: "We’ve had an amazing competition this year. The standard has been excellent, and all the chefs have crafted a fantastic selection of dishes. They’ve showcased true innovation while managing costs, demonstrating great culinary skills, allergen awareness and an understanding of how to scale food that’s both suitable and appealing for pupils within a school environment."

The 12 finalists, who had competed at regional heats across the country, were judged on the use of Premier Food and Bisto products, working practices in the kitchen, creativity, appearance, taste and flavour.

In second place was Ben Finn from St Leonards Comprehensive School (Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust) and third place went to Malachy Pharncote-Rowe from Ponteland School (Pele Trust). Second and third place, who both came from the North East regional SCOTY heat, received £500 and £300 respectively.

Finn commented: “I am over the moon. It is the first time I have entered and I was just chuffed to get through the regionals to be honest. Coming second in the SCOTY final is a big achievement for me. I am very happy.

“A couple of things could have gone better but I felt like I got the food out on time and I was happy with it. Under time constraints there is always something you can improve on and look back and wish I did something different. I am proud of the dishes that I put out.

“Biso from Premier Foods sponsored the event so I thought I would go with a traditional dish. I went with a chicken mushroom gravy pie with parmesan mash. I thought it was something that kids can associate with. My boss has put it on the menu for next year.”

Pharncote-Rowe explained: “I am absolutely buzzing with coming third. The competition standard was significantly higher than I was expecting. Everyone has been restaurant chef level. To see this standard being replicated across the regions is fantastic. To be placed third amongst that I am genuinely happy. It’s nice to see North East representation with second and third place.

“I think it went quite well. There were a few different tweaks, anything under pressure you always have small little self-critiques that you inevitably end up making but in general I was quite happy with the result. I wasn’t expecting the presentation standard to be as high as it was. Hopefully I can refine that and come back next year.

“I made a French-inspired dish. I work in a languages school and I wanted to showcase our integration with the curriculum. We do French, Italian and German showcases.”

Unox, whose ovens were used for the competition final, will take the 2025 SCOTY winner along with LACA representatives on a gastronomic trip to Italy as part of their prize.

The 12 SCOTY finalists were:

• Charlotte Boulton, Nottinghamshire County Council (East Midlands)
• Aron Jordan, Autism Anglia (East of England)
• Erin Ward, Impact Food Group (East of England - wildcard) Winner
• Asmaa Abdelrhma, Impact Food Group (London)
• Ben Finn, Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (North East & Scotland) Second place
• Malachy Pharncote-Rowe, Pele Trust (North East & Scotland – wildcard) Third place
• Steven Rhodes-Heaton, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (North West)
• Mark Kent, Impact Food Group (South East)
• Ryan King, Aspens Catering (South West)
• Joanne Cox, Chartwells (Wales)
• Michael Tafft, Telford & Wrekin Council (West Midlands)
• Jennifer Haigh, Nottinghamshire County Council (Yorkshire and Humberside