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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 ten SCOTY regional final winners automatically qualify for the national final, which is taking place at the LACA Main Event. Up to two wildcard chefs could be selected to join them from the chefs who finished as runners-up in their heat.
At the national final competitors must prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.70 per head in 90 minutes that meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide.
The 2025 LACA School Chef of the Year competition, is sponsored by Bisto, from Premier Foods. Regional final winners will each receive a £100 cash prize. School meal providers can register for free entry to the School Food Show to watch the national finalists in action. 
The three school chefs advancing to the SCOTY national final are: 
•    Ben Finn from St Leonards Comprehensive School (Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust): For his main course Finn created chicken & mushroom pie topped with parmesan mash served with braised leeks & carrots. He made a dessert of roasted and caramelised apple, flapjack and crème patissiere. 
•    Jennifer Haigh from Misson Primary School (Nottinghamshire County Council): Her main course was titled Chilli con Gyros and included lightly spiced & roasted beef mince, Mediterranean vegetables, homemade flatbread, smoked mayonnaise. For dessert Haigh made fruits of the forest on a roasted oat base.
•    Ryan King, who works for Aspens Catering at Sir Thomas Rich School in Gloucester: He cooked a main course of chicken lollipops served with jollof rice and spiced ‘slaw, and served Pina Colada for dessert, which comprised a school-friendly take on the flavours of the famous cocktail.