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The winner will be crowned at the SCOTY 2025 awards ceremony at Birmingham's Hilton Metropole on Wednesday 9th July, with a top prize of £1,000 and a prestigious trophy up for grabs.

Each of the 12 national finalists, whether a regional final winner or one of the two runners-up, will have an equal chance of winning the education catering industry's top competition award for 2025.

The competition is the flagship event for school chefs to showcase their professional skills. It has been organised annually for over two decades by LACA - The School Food People and is sponsored by Bisto, owned by Premier Foods. The 12 SCOTY finalists are:

• Charlotte Boulton, Nottinghamshire County Council (East Midlands)
• Aron Jordan, Autism Anglia (East of England)
• Erin Ward, Impact Food Group (East of England - wildcard)
• Asmaa Abdelrhma, Impact Food Group (London)
• Ben Finn, Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (North East & Scotland)
• Malachy Pharncote-Rowe, Pele Trust (North East & Scotland – wildcard)
• Steven Rhodes-Heaton, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (North West)
• Mark Kent, Impact Food Group (South East)
• Ryan King, Aspens Catering (South West)
• Joanne Cox, Chartwells (Wales)
• Michael Tafft, Telford & Wrekin Council (West Midlands)
• Jennifer Haigh, Nottinghamshire County Council (Yorkshire and Humberside

The SCOTY competition is open to all kitchen-based staff involved in the daily preparation of pupils’ meals in schools across the UK. School chefs and catering managers who work in the school meals industry can register to attend LACA’s School Food Show free of charge to watch the 12 SCOTY finalists in action.

Judith Gregory, LACA national chair said: “This event is an amazing experience for all those that take part, enabling our staff to showcase their incredible talent and creativity.

“Participants are able to meet and network with school chefs from across the country at both the regional and national stage, and it’s the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their passion and professionalism. Best of luck to you all.”

Regional competitors from local authorities, contract-catered sites, in-house, academy schools and Multi-Academy Trusts were challenged to prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.70 per head. The 90-minute challenge also had to meet School Food Standards and the Eat Well Guide.

The national final will once again be held at the LACA Main Event on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Wednesday 9th July.

All entries start with maximum points, with judges assessing four key areas: innovative use of Premier Foods products, working practices in the kitchen including time planning and food hygiene, creativity and appearance with portions suitable for the target age group, and taste and flavour demonstrating originality and balance between courses.

Regional champions have each received a £100 cash prize. As well as £1,000 and the 2025 LACA School Chef of the Year trophy, the national winner will also receive an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events. The national second and third place winners will receive £500 and £300 respectively.