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For her main course Joanne cooked Moroccan infused ravioli, Moroccan apricot and chickpea ravioli with spiced lentil sauce, mixed herb couscous and coconut peshwari. For dessert she made knickerbocker glory, layers of berries, fruit jelly and Angel Delight topped with banana ice cream.

The Welsh heat took place on the same day as heats for West Midlands and East Midlands.

LACA Chair Brad Pearce commented: “Three fantastic heats, with three fantastic new finalists, all showcasing the very best in school food. Not only great food but also a celebration of the excellent culinary skills and talent of the chefs feeding our children in schools across the nation.”

Sponsor Sarah Robb, foodservice marketing manager at Premier Foods added: “It’s been another exciting day of judging for our chef, Louise Wagstaffe who has been so impressed with the variety of dishes she has tasted. With three more finalists now revealed, it’s already shaping up to be an impressive display of culinary excellence as we look ahead to the final in July. Good luck to all the chefs who are still to cook in the next few weeks.”

The LACA School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) competition is now in its 29th 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.

The national final will be held at the LACA Main Event on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th July at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

The next SCOTY regional final is the North West Region and it is taking place on Thursday 11th May at the First Choice Group Kitchen in Cannock.