Jennifer Brown triumphs in 2024 School Chef of the Year competition

Jennifer Brown from OCS Food Company has been named School Chef of the Year 2024 at the LACA Main Event.

The final of this year’s contest was held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole last night (4 July). Brown, the chef manager from Sarum Academy in Salisbury, beat 12 other finalists who had to prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert in 90 minutes. The chefs worked with a food cost of no more than £1.60 per head and meals had to meet the School Food Standards and comply with the Eat Well Guide.

Judges comprised Marcus Appleton from the Worshipful Company of Cooks last year’s School Chef of the Year winner Raheem Morgan and the 2004 victor, Sharon Armstrong.

Brown served up dishes called ‘Easy Like Monday Mornay’ and rhubarb and custard meringue tart with raspberry coulis.

She received a £1,000 cash prize, the LACA School Chef of the Year trophy and an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events.

Having entered the competition four times previously, coming runner-up last year, Brown told The Caterer that she was “in shock” but “chuffed to bits”. “This year I went through as a wildcard entry and I didn’t even think I was in the running,” she said, adding that this may have contributed to her win as she was more relaxed, as she believed she was out of the competition.

She cited the inspiration for her dish as “being able to put even a small amount of fish on the menu is so good for kids”.

When Brown returns as a SCOTY judge next year she said she’ll be looking for nutritious, healthy and balanced meals: “Anything that’s good for the children and that they’ll enjoy. That’s really what I’m all about.”

Runner up Richard Hardy from Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust won £500, while third place Paul Hardy from Midshire Signature Services received £300.

The SCOTY 2024 crowning took place ahead of the LACA Awards for Excellence, where 12 accolades were presented.

Winners at the LACA Awards for Excellence 2024

Catering Business of the Year Award: Local Food Links

Primary School Catering Team of the Year Award: Priory School Catering Team

Secondary School Catering Team of the Year Award: South Axholme Academy, Isle Education Trust

Marketing Award: Norse Group

Allergy Management Award: Caterlink Nutrition Team

Outstanding Achievement Award: Bryan Lygate, Impact Food Group

Nan Berger Memorial Award: Cardiff Council

Apprentice/Trainee Award: Lyndsay Knowles, Salford City Council

Unsung Hero Award: Rebecca Briton, Impact Food Group

Region of the Year: Yorkshire & Humberside

Outstanding Supplier Award: Bidfood/SchoolGrid

Chair’s Award: Melanie Ryder, Stockton Borough Council/Brad Pearce, CATERed/Matthew White, Public Sector Catering Alliance

Earlier in the day at the LACA Main Event, Lisa Miles from HCL clinched the Best in Show accolade at the Finishing Touches culinary salon for her Best in Class Decorated Celebration Cake, with judges praising her for “raising the bar” and showing a dedication to healthy eating habits”. She won a prize total of £350.

The previous night (3 July) saw the winner of LACA’s Grab & Go Challenge revealed as Angela McCurry from Pride Academy (Nourish Catering). The contest tasked school chefs with preparing, cooking and presenting four portions of a grab and go or breaktime savoury snack with ingredients that cost no more than 80p per head.

McCurry was rewarded for her veggie Caribbean pasty and received £500 plus a £500 set of Wüsthof professional chef’s knives donated by SchoolGrid. She will also head for afternoon tea with LACA ambassador Mark Sargeant, who judged the contest alongside SchoolGrid representative Lin O’Brien, former SCOTY winner Holly Charnock and student judge Adam Curtis.

Sargeant said: “It was a close call but Angela emerged victorious and the worthy winner. The competition showcased the high quality of school chefs across the country who work hard every day to ensure that children receive a hot, nutritious and delicious school meal."

McCurry herself added: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised among so many talented individuals. The achievement reflects the hard work and dedication that went into crafting something both convenient and nutritious.”

Pictured: SCOTY 2024 winner Jennifer Brown and LACA Grab & Go Challenge victor Angela McCurry