The LACA Events and Awards are an important part of our wish to promote our industry and to recognise the success of our members.

The Awards are presented at the annual conference and are the highlight of the gala dinner. They recognise significant input and the professionalism of our sector. They raise the profile of individuals and local authority catering.

Our events are now recognised in the industry as calendar dates not to be missed. The media are also showing increased awareness and interest in National School Meals Week (NSMW) and School Chef of the Year (SCOTY). Both these events are marking their 10th anniversary during the next 12 months and we hope as many local authorities as possible will take part.

NSMW helps us take school meals into the classroom to raise the importance of a whole school approach to a healthy lifestyle, part of which is about eating a balanced diet.

SCOTY allows us to demonstrate that our school chefs are on a par with their counterparts in hotels, restaurants and other sectors of the catering industry.