News

Taking place over three days, the Main Event includes a packed speaker programme, live demonstrations and free to attend interactive workshops.

The LACA Main Event incorporates two main elements: the LACA Show (which is free to attend) and the LACA Forum (which requires attendees to pay). Forum delegates are eligible to access all elements of the programme and can build their own schedule.

For Forum delegates arriving on Tuesday, the accommodation package includes a place at the LACA icebreaker evening and of course there's the LACA Awards for Excellence dinner once again on Wednesday night where you can celebrate the achievements of industry colleagues.

Why you should attend the LACA Main Event:

• Engage in thought-provoking and inspirational seminars delivered by industry leading experts.
• Experience unrivalled networking opportunities with suppliers at the School Food Show and during the informal and Awards dinners.
• Reunite with colleagues to discuss the issues facing education caterers nationwide.
• Celebrate the achievements of industry peers at the LACA Awards for Excellence dinner.

Free to attend workshops

There is a new format for 2021, with the introduction of two new free to attend workshop streams open to both visitors and delegates. There are two Area/Senior Management Workshops and Two Kitchen Manager Level Workshops during the LACA Main Event.

The School Food Show

The School Food Show, which runs alongside the Forum, is the only exhibition dedicated 100% to the school food sector. It is open to all school caterers, managers and contract caterers to attend free of charge.

With over 100 exhibitors it is the ideal place to find solutions to a wide range of requirements from food and beverage products which all help education caterers meet the nutrient guidelines in place.

One of the greatest benefits of being at the Main Event is the unrivalled networking opportunities it offers. The School Food Show is the chance to catch up with your suppliers and discuss new products as well as source new ideas. 

LACA Forum- keynote speakers

Dr Ranj Singh author and NHS clinician will deliver a keynote speech on ‘Happy and Healthy Children: the importance of diet and exercise’, sharing highlights of his career to date as well as his insight and expertise about the important role diet and exercise play in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse will talk to attendees about the work of NARF (Natasha Allergy Research Foundation) and the role the school food sector needs to play as Natasha’s Law comes into effect from 1 October 2021.

The closing keynote will be delivered by Olympic javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson who will share her journey to becoming an Olympic champion and the important role that resilience and determination play in coping with the ups and downs of competition and daily life.

Finishing Touches

On Wednesday 13th October at 2:30pm the announcement of the winners of 2021 Finishing Touches and ‘Best in Class’ and ‘Best in Show’ will be revealed to visitors and Forum delegates. The competition is aimed at staff employed in any aspect of education catering capable of producing craft pieces.

Finishing Touches provides entrants with the opportunity to show off their skills, which would not normally be seen during their everyday profession. Senior members of the Craft Guild of Chefs will judge the entries and certificates will be awarded to those who enter the Finishing Touches 2021 competition.

School Chef of the Year Competition

The School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) competition has named the nine regional winners and the two wild card contestants who will compete at the national final on 12-13 October in Birmingham.

Organised by the LACA – The School Food People and sponsored by Quorn Professionals, School Chef of the Year is the education catering sector's premier culinary skills competition.

In addition to the kudos of winning the national title, the 2021 champion will receive a £1000 cash prize and the LACA 2021 School Chef of the Year trophy. They will also be awarded a work experience trip and an invitation to a calendar of high profile catering industry engagements.

LACA Awards

LACA, the school food people, have announced the shortlisted finalists for the LACA Awards for Excellence, which aim to celebrate individuals and teams who continue to make a ‘real difference’ to school food and education catering.

Good management, string performances and high achievements deserved to be recognised and acknowledgement of effort is important to both reward and sustain motivation.

Being nominated for a LACA award gives a sense of prestige and honour at a personal level and raises the professional reputation of the organisation or school employing award winners.

The 2020 LACA Awards for Excellence were announced during a webinar session but the 2021 Awards for Excellence will be in front of a live audience. Amanda Hamilton, the TV presenter, journalist and nutritional expert, will be the LACA Awards for Excellence host.