School chefs battling it out to be best in the region

THREE contestants will battle it out for the regional title of East Midlands School Chef of the Year.

The regional final is to take place at Brooksby Melton College, Melton, on January 9.

David Sulyok, of Market Harborough, will battle it out against Anna-Marie Knight, of

Netherfield, Nottingham, and Sara Franklin, from Northampton.

The LACA School Chef of the Year Competition has been the flagship event for school chefs to showcase their professional skills for 25 years.

Against the clock and under the scrutiny of a panel of judges, the chefs will have to prepare, cook and present four portions of a twocourse meal suitable for serving to 11-year-olds.

They will have 90 minutes and a maximum spend of £1.30 is allowed for the cost of a meal of a main course and dessert.

The winner will go on to represent the East Midlands against nine other regional champions plus two judges’ wild card competitors in the national final on March 5.

Main course dishes are chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage, beetroot and potato cakes; pollock croquettes and teriyaki sauce with ribbons of vegetables and a sticky teriyaki sauce; and chicken fajita tart, roasted sweet potato wedges, coriander and lime slaw.

Desserts are apple strudel served with apple and mint crème fraiche – raspberry and chocolate brownie with Chantilly cream and strawberry and lemon cake custard.