The competition asks school chefs to create an innovative and nutritious savoury snack for students, with a maximum production cost of just 85p per portion. The deadline for entries is March 27th 2026.
The school chefs who produce the eight best recipes will be invited to a live cook-off in May. From this three finalists will be chosen to go forward to compete in in front of an audience at the final at the School Food Show on Tuesday, July 7th.
The Grab ‘N' Go Challenge aims to reflect the real-world pressures of the modern school kitchen: the need for speed, portability, and cost control without compromising on quality or allergen safety.
Beyond the technical requirements, the competition is also an opportunity for chefs to gain national recognition. Reigning champion Andre Alto from OCS is encouraging his fellow school chefs to take part by focusing on their unique perspective.
He said: “Try to be different with your recipe, be creative with your ingredients, to develop a dish which is tasty and appealing to students and catches their eye. Be confident in it. Just enjoy the moment.”
The overall winner of the competition will receive £500 in cash plus a professional set of Wüsthof chef’s knives worth £500, donated by SchoolGrid. Prizes are also awarded for second and third place.
SchoolGrid, which has 19 years of experience in school catering software, sponsors the event as part of its commitment to supporting frontline staff and promoting excellence in school food.