Entry deadline approaching for LACA’s Finishing Touches
The competition is aimed at all levels of staff employed in any aspect of education catering capable of producing excellent craft pieces. It provides entrants with the opportunity to show off their skills which would not normally be seen during their everyday profession.
The Finishing Touches Display Salon will be part of the LACA School Food Show, running alongside LACA Main Event on Wednesday 9th July at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Each Best in Class winner from the 12 categories will receive £100 and the overall Best in Show winner will get an additional £250.
The Craft Guild of Chefs will judge the entries and certificates of entry will be awarded to all entrants. Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates will be awarded to those who achieve the highest standards.
The display classes include:
- 50% Fruit Dessert: This class will be looking for four plated portions of a creative dessert that would be served to students; it must consist of a minimum of 50% fruit in its content.
- Biscuits: Six pieces each of four different varieties of biscuits served on a single platter no larger than 40cm x 40cm.
- Cake Suitable for Special Diet: Competitors are required to prepare an eight to ten portion whole cake, suitable to be served to children who have either gluten or dairy intolerance or both.
- Cheesecake: The judges will be looking for an eight to 12 portion cheesecake, which will be served as a whole cake; it can be of any shape and decorated appropriately.
- Cupcakes: To present a selection of four varieties, two of each variety of cupcakes (eight in total) to the competitor’s choice.
- Decorated Celebration Cake: A celebration cake can be any shape with a maximum display area of 40cm x 40cm. Coated with rolled fondant, sugar paste, or royal icing.
- Decorated Novelty Cake: A novelty cake, any shape coated with any decorative medium, having a maximum display area 45cm x 45cm. The cake will be cut and tasted.
- Filled and/or Covered Sponge, Gateau or Cake: To present a sponge or cake of competitors choice no larger than 30cm. Filled and/or covered with butter cream or chocolate.
- Flat Bas Relief Plaque (New for 2025): Decorate a flat plaque using sugar paste in the style of ‘Bas Relief’ not to exceed 16cm and depicting the theme of a school meal that meets the School Food Plan and Eatwell Guide standards.
- Individual Fruit Tarts: Three varieties of tart, two pieces of each (six individual pieces in total) are required for presentation.
- Tray Bake: Suitable for lunch or dessert, tray bakes can be eye-catching, creative and innovative.
- Vegetarian Quiche: Entries are required for a 18-20cm vegetarian quiche. The judges will be looking for an evenly lined and baked flan base with a well-cooked filling.
For more information and to register to take part, visit: www.laca.co.uk/finishing-touches