Totally Local Company Attends the School Food People Show & Forum 7th & 8th July 2026
Our Catering Management Team were delighted to attend the School Food People Show & Forum 2026, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 7–8 July 2026.
Formerly known as the LACA Main Event, the School Food People Show & Forum is the UK’s only national event dedicated exclusively to the school food catering sector. Bringing together more than 1,000 catering professionals, suppliers and industry experts, the exhibition highlights the latest food and drink products, catering equipment, innovation, and best practice shaping the future of school meals.
Earlier this year, LACA – The Lead Association for Caterers in Education – rebranded as The School Food People, reflecting a refreshed identity while continuing to champion and support the school food sector with the expertise and guidance it has provided for many years.
Learning, Innovation and Collaboration
The two-day event offered a packed programme of workshops, keynote speakers, live cooking demonstrations, networking opportunities, and exhibitions, giving delegates valuable insight into the latest developments across education catering.
Image: Credit to TLC. Karen Hayward, Executive Principal, Federation of Schools, presenting at the School Food People Show and Forum.
As a leading provider of school catering services across Stockport and Greater Manchester, Totally Local Company recognises the importance of investing in professional development and staying at the forefront of industry innovation. Attending events such as the School Food People Show & Forum enables our team to explore latest ideas, strengthen relationships across the sector and ensure we continue delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for the schools and pupils we proudly serve.
Registered delegates also attended the School Food Forum conference, where experts explored key topics including school food policy, funding, nutrition, sustainability, and emerging technologies that will help shape the future of school catering.
The live cooking demonstrations were another highlight, featuring inspiring sessions from celebrated British chef and BBC Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt, alongside award-winning chef and Senior Food Educator Amber Francis, whose passion for educating young people through food proved particularly engaging.
Visitors also enjoyed a variety of competitions and interactive features throughout the exhibition, including the Finishing Touches 2026 Competition, the Grab and Go Challenge, sponsored by SchoolGrid, and the School Food Exhibition by the Food Museum, making its debut at this year’s event.
Images: Credit to TLC: Some of the Finishing Touches Creative Designs.
Images: Credit to TLC – Some of the excellent creations highlighted at the School Food Exhibition
Celebrating School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) 2026 Competition
One of the most anticipated highlights of the event was the School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) 2026 National Final, sponsored by Bisto.
We were incredibly proud to see our very own culinary Chef, Colin Sealey represent the North West after winning the regional final earlier this year. Colin secured his place in the national competition with his outstanding signature dishes – a Mediterranean-inspired main course and a delicious Banana Blondie dessert – which impressed the judges and earned him the North West Regional title.
Left Images: Credit to TLC. The SCOTY Regional Finalists. Right Image: Colin Sealey at the SCOTY National Finals.
‘Competing against the country’s best school chefs is a tremendous achievement, and everyone at Totally Local Company congratulates Colin on representing both the organisation and the region with such professionalism, creativity and culinary excellence.’
Images: Credit to TLC. Colin Sealey, cooking at the SCOTY Finals.
The SCOTY Awards for Excellence Dinner:
TLC team colleagues, Lisa Tottle, Quality and Training Lead, and The School Food People, North West Regional Treasurer, with Colin Sealey, TLC Culinary Chef, attended the SCOTY Awards for Excellence Dinner.
Right Image: From left to right, Brad Pearce, LACA Chair, presents Colin Sealey with his Regional Finalist Award Certificate.
The SCOTY national winners were announced during the Awards for Excellence Dinner on the evening of Wednesday the 8th of July 2026.
Congratulations to Ben Finn from Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (North East and Scotland), who was crowned School Chef of the Year 2026 with his exceptional dishes, The Pig That’s Bean to Mexico and Berry Well-Balanced Sponge. Ben received the prestigious SCOTY trophy, a £1,000 cash prize and an invitation to a programme of national catering industry events.
Congratulations also go to Taher Jibet from Impact Food Group, who secured second place with his Vegan Corn Dog Bites and Bananas and Custard, and Richard Hardy from Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, who achieved third place with his Oat-Crusted Indian-Infused Chicken and Yorkshire Crumble.
Events such as the School Food People Show & Forum continue to demonstrate the passion, innovation, and commitment within the school food sector.
A special thank you to our Catering Management Team colleagues for attending the event. They are a valued and integral part of our wider team.Totally Local Company is proud to be part of an industry dedicated to continually improving the quality of school meals and creating positive dining experiences for children every day.
You can find out more about our Schools Education Catering Services at: https://www.totallylocalcompany.co.uk/service/school-catering/
