News

Top cooks from schools across the UK are set to battle it out in the final of the McCain Simply One Pot Meal Competition tomorrow (May 28th) at a live cook-off at Eckington Manor Cookery School.

The competition challenged school cooks to create a one pot recipe using the McCain Simply range. Judges will be looking for dishes that showcase a variety of criteria, including creativity, presentation, flavour, colour and texture.

Katrina Ellis, McCain Foods product manager, said: “The hard work of school cooks can often go unrecognised, so we launched the One Pot Meal Competition to highlight the innovation, talent and passion we have in school kitchens across the UK. The response to the competition and the standard of entrants has been fantastic.

“We chose one pot meals because this style of cooking is an easy way for school cooks to overcome some of the common operational challenges of catering for large numbers of pupils.

“The ease and versatility of the McCain Simply Range makes it the perfect ingredient for this style of cooking as it helps to save prep time and avoid seasonal issues with the quality and cost of raw potatoes.

“We are really excited to see how the cooks perform in the final and name the winner of the first ever One Pot Meal Competition.”

The five finalists are: Beverley Paterson from Churnside, Scottish Borders; Judith Tyrrell from Arden School, Solihull Catering Services; Karen Clark from Isleham, Cambridge Catering Services; Lisa Michelle Morris from Manor Longbridge Primary School, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council; and Michelle Lewandowski from Henlow C of E Academy, Cambridge Catering Services.

The winning cook will receive a culinary trip for two to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage HQ and will be invited to attend LACA to showcase their recipe on the McCain stand. All the finalists’ dishes will also be added to the one pot meal recipe series, which helps school cooks serve quick, tasty and cost effective dishes.