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The cook-off took place on Tuesday 4th June at Weston College and it involved two other school chefs from the region. Paul has won £100 and the chance to win the national final of SCOTY.

During the South West regional final Paul cooked chargrilled marinated chicken on a Japanese vegetable pancake. His dessert was a mango mousse on sponge base with a tuile and mango purée.

Louise Wagstaffe, Premier Food’s senior culinary adviser and SCOTY head judge, said: “There was an incredible amount of skill and technique on display in the South West regional finals. The standard was high but Paul Harris emerged as a worthy winner having planned, practiced and executed both dishes to perfection.”

The national final will once again be held at the LACA Main Event on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th July at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Thursday 4th July.

With the competition focus on producing nutritious, delicious meals for 11-year-old primary or secondary school pupils, now in its 30th year, the LACA School Chef of the Year competition is the perfect showcase for passionate school chefs to demonstrate what they do best every day.

Competitors must prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.60 per head in 90 minutes that meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide.

The North East & Scotland and Yorkshire & Humberside regional finals will take place on Thursday 6th June at Barnsley College. Two more school chefs will advance to the SCOTY final to join the other five school chefs who have already qualified.

School meal providers can register for free entry to the School Food Show to watch the competitors in action.