He now goes forward as one of 12 finalists to take part in the national final to be held at LACA’s Main Event on July 8-9 in Birmingham.
This was the last of the regional finals and took place at Weston College, where four other school chefs from the region contested this round of the competition. Gary Dutson of Midsummer Norton Partnership was named the runner-up.
Ryan cooked a main course of chicken lollipops served with jollof rice and spiced ‘slaw. For dessert he prepared ‘Pina Colada’, which comprised a school-friendly take on the flavours of the famous cocktail.
Ryan and the nine other SCOTY regional final winners automatically qualify for the national final, while up to two wildcard chefs could be selected to join them from those who finished as runners-up in their heat.
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.
Regional final winners will each receive a £100 cash prize. At the national final, the 2024 national winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2025 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.