LACA reveals key dates for 2025 SCOTY competition
The competition is 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.
The national final will once again be held at the LACA Main Event on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Wednesday 9th July.
Regional final winners will each receive a £100 cash prize. At the national final, the 2024 national winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2025 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 2024 SCOTY title was won by Jennifer Brown from Sarum Academy in Salisbury. For her main dish, she cooked ‘Easy like Monday mornay’ - baked pollock with cheese sauce in a potato and spinach case. For dessert, Jennifer prepared a rhubarb and custard meringue tart with raspberry coulis.
Key dates for 2025 SCOTY competition:
- Registrations open - July 2024
- Registrations close - Friday 15th December 2024
- Closing date for entries - Friday 24th January 2025
- Paper judging - mid February 2025 (dates tbc)
- Regional finals - March and April 2025 (dates tbc)
- Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025 – National Final at the LACA Main Event, Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Full entry pack, rules and criteria to follow soon!
Highlights from LACA School Chef of the Year 2024