2016 South West School chef of the year winner

Four chefs have battled it out in a cook-off to be crowned a South West School Chef of the Year.

This is the second year in a row that CATERed and Plymouth’s own Sharon Cundell, from St Edward’s Church of England Primary Academy in Eggbuckland has claimed the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA), South West School Chef of the Year title.

Sharon was up against Dionne Hodge from Devon, Jane Edney from North Somerset, and Tracy Dawson from Dorset.

She was the overall winner with her menu of Marvellous Mediterranean Meatballs – meatballs served with tasty roast potatoes and tricolore vegetable stack followed by

Glorious Grecian Sticky Toffee Pudding – a sumptuous sticky toffee pudding with a Grecian twist, packed full of fruit and flavour!

Other finalist menus included main courses entitled Taps Trio consisting of pork meatballs, southern fried croquettes and vegetable boats and Home-made Chicken & Mushroom Ravioli and Tomato Sauce.

Desserts included Cheesecake Napoletano – chocolate and vanilla cheesecake with a strawberry topping and Key Lemon Pie – a shortbread base with a lemon infused custard.

Brad Pearce, MD of CATERed and Regional Chair of LACA said: "Once again the standard of cooking from all competitors was amazing and truly represents the skill and commitment of all of the school chefs and caterers not only here in Plymouth but across the country.

“I’d like to thank Sharon for representing CATERed and Plymouth in the South West regional heat of School Chef of the Year.

“Her menu looked and sounded absolutely delicious and it just goes to show what wonders can be achieved with good ingredients, imagination and talent.  This is another brilliant result for our school food and CATERed.

“I’d also like to thank the two pupil judges from St Andrew’s C of E Primary School – Tilly Cameron and Sophie Hayden – who did an excellent job and asked some very probing questions of the competitors.”

School Chef of the Year is exclusively for those in the education catering sector and aims to showcase the high standards of skill, creativity and professionalism amongst school caterers.

It is open to all kitchen based staff employed by organisations that are full members of the Lead Association for Catering in Education and are involved with the daily preparation of school meals.

Sharon Cundell will now go on to take part in the 2016 National Final in March 2016 in Stratford.