LACA unveils full line-up for School Chef of the Year national final
The 2025 SCOTY competition, which is sponsored by Bisto from Premier Foods, aims to showcase the talent, skill and hard work of school chefs who every day continue to provide hot, healthy and nutritious school meals to children across the country.
School chefs and catering managers who work in the school meals industry can register to attend LACA’s School Food Show free of charge to watch the 12 SCOTY finalists in action. Over 160 exhibitors will showcase food and beverages, equipment, systems and services.
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.
At the national final, the 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.
Schedule for 2025 SCOTY national final:
Heat one (Tuesday 8th, 9.45am):
- Aron Jordan – Autism Anglia – East of England
- Michael Tafft – Telford & Wrekin Council – West Midlands
- Jennifer Haigh – Nottinghamshire County Council – Yorkshire & Humberside
Heat two (Tuesday 8th, 2.15pm):
- Erin Ward – Impact Food Group – East of England (wildcard)
- Steven Rhodes-Heaton – Bury Council – North West
- Ryan King – Aspens Catering – South West
Heat three (Wednesday 9th, 9.45am):
- Charlotte Boulton – Nottinghamshire County Council – East Midlands
- Asmaa Abdelrhman – Impact Food Group - London
- Malachy Pharncote-Rowe – Pele Trust – North East & Scotland (wildcard)
Heat four (Wednesday 9th, 1.15pm):
- Ben Finn – Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust – North East & Scotland
- Mark Kent – Impact Food Group – South East
- Joanne Cox – Chartwells - Wales