The competition’s focus is on producing nutritious, delicious meals for 11-year-old primary or secondary school pupils. The SCOTY competition, which is sponsored by Bisto from Premier Foods, is the ‘perfect showcase’ for passionate school chefs to demonstrate what they do best every day.
Nicolas Poilblanc from St Peters Collegiate Academy (Aspens Services Ltd) created duo of ballotine and lollipop chasseur chicken for his main course. For dessert Nicolas made Sicilian coconut and glazed pineapple cheesecake.
Competitors must prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.75 per head in 90 minutes that meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide. The three regional finals took place this week at the Rational Kitchen in Cannock with each winner taking home the £100 prize.
Colin Sealey from Outwood Primary School (Totally Local Company) made homemade pasta served with tomatoes, pepper, courgette, aubergine, red onion with feta cheese. For his dessert he created a moist banana sponge topped with caramelised banana and melting butterscotch whip.
The national final will once again be held at The School Food Show on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th July 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Wednesday 8th July.
Ghyslain made a sweet baked tandoori chicken with Indian rosti potatoes, curried cauliflower served with a grilled chapati, mango salsa and refreshing mint sauce for his main course.
For dessert he created pancake samosa filled with fresh fruit mix, orange segment, diced pineapple and kiwi bonded in coconut served with a mint cheesecake and a ‘suzette’ orange syrup.
He will be looking to repliacte the success of his colleague Erin Ward from Impact Food Group, who despite being a wildcard, went on to lift the SCOTY trophy last summer.
The 2026 national winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2026 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 final two SCOTY regional finals are the South West and Wales regions, which will take place on Wednesday 6th May 2026.