School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) 2026
We are delighted to share some fantastic news about Colin Sealey, Cook in Charge, who works in one of our local schools, as he has successfully secured a place in the regional finals of the prestigious LACA School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) 2026 competition.
Organised by LACA — The School Food People — and sponsored this year by Bisto from Premier Foods, SCOTY celebrates the exceptional talent and creativity of school catering professionals across the UK. The regional finals are taking place between March and May 2026.
Image: Colin Sealey, Cook in Charge, SCOTY Regional Finalist.
The competition is open to all kitchen-based catering staff involved in preparing daily school meals, including those working within local authorities, contracted services, in-house teams, academies, and Multi-Academy Trusts.
At Totally Local Company, we are proud to encourage our talented culinary teams to take part in this inspiring competition each year — and Colin’s achievement is a testament to the passion and skill within our workforce.
A Recipe for Success
To enter SCOTY, participants must design and submit a two-course menu comprising a main course and a dessert (with at least 50% fruit content). Each menu must incorporate selected products from Bisto and Premier Foods, meet strict nutritional standards, and remain within a set budget — a true test of creativity, skill, and practicality.
Colin, a highly experienced chef with many years in the school meals sector, has risen brilliantly to the challenge. His competition menu showcases both flair and flavour:
- Main Course: Mediterranean root vegetables with tagliatelle, served in a rich tomato sauce and finished with feta cheese.
- Dessert: Banana blondie with caramelised banana and butterscotch whip.
These dishes not only meet the competition criteria but have also been trialled with school teams — receiving glowing feedback from those lucky enough to taste them.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
Colin will represent the Northwest at the regional finals on Monday 27 April 2026 at the Rational Kitchen in Cannock, West Midlands, where he will demonstrate his culinary expertise against other top school chefs.
Winners from each regional heat will progress to the national final, held at the School Food Show on 7–8 July 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The stakes are high, with the national winner receiving:
- £1,000 cash prize
- The SCOTY 2026 trophy
- Invitations to a range of prestigious catering industry events.
Second and third place winners will receive £500 and £300 respectively, while each regional winner is awarded £100.
A Proud Moment
We are incredibly proud of Colin’s achievement and dedication. Reaching the regional finals is a significant accomplishment, and we wish him every success as he continues his SCOTY journey.
Good luck, Colin — we’re all behind you!
