2017 McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year revealed

Pupils from Chapter House Preparatory School have been crowned Premier Foods' 2017 McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year.

The team from York baked its way to the top spot with its Queen Ethelburga's mess, impressing judges with their team work and a tasty recipe. Lara Haigh and Jack Bennett, both aged nine, supported by school caterer Sarah Middlemiss, used fresh strawberries, garden mint and locally-sourced eggs, adhering to the local produce competition theme.

The final took place at LACA: The Main Event on 6 July, with the five schools cooking in front of a live audience. The competition was judged by Andrew Green, representing the Craft Guild of Chefs; Carol Harwood, representing the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA); and Mark Rigby, executive chef at Premier Foods. The school was awarded £1,000 worth of kitchen equipment, a prize which was presented to them by Sally Shadrack, chair of LACA.

Sarah Robb, foodservice channel marketing manager at Premier Foods, said: "We were very impressed by the children's imagination, dedication and enthusiasm throughout the competition and would like to thank everyone who contributed to making the competition such a triumph for the third year running."

Sarah Middlemiss, school chef from Chapter House Preparatory School, said: "I really couldn't be prouder of the team and their achievement in the competition today. Despite being a team member down due to illness, Lara and Jack threw themselves into the competition and worked calmly and meticulously to create their winning dish. They developed the recipe themselves back in our school kitchen in York, and I have been overwhelmed by their commitment to this competition."

The other finalists were Coed Eva Primary School, Cwmbran; Cranbrook Church of England Primary School, Kent; Mendip Green Primary School, north Somerset; and Perran-Ar-Worthal School, Cornwall.

McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year 2017 shortlist revealed >>

McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year 2016 revealed >>

First-ever McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year crowned >>

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