The Isle of Wight’s Wendy Lohse was named runner up in yesterday’s South East regional final of the School Chef of the Year Competition – but the competition isn’t over just yet for wildcard Wendy.
5 contestants from across the South East went to St Alban’s yesterday to cook their dishes against the clock and under the scrutiny of a panel of Judges. They had 90 minutes to prepare 4 portions of a main course and a dessert suitable for serving to 11-year-olds in school.
As a result of the outstanding culinary expertise demonstrated and some close results during this year’s regional heats, the judges have decided to award wild card places for the 2020 National Final to 2 of the next best-performing competitors. The judges have selected Wendy Lohse as 1 of the 2 2020 wild cards!
Wendy, who is employed by Caterlink and is a relief school chef across Isle of Wight primary schools, will now be taking part in the 2020 National Final on 5th March in Stratford upon Avon where she will have an equal chance of winning the 2020 national title – but she faces stiff competition from 11 other finalists.
The competition is the flagship event for school chefs to showcase their professional skills. It has been organised annually for over 2 decades by LACA – The School Food People and is sponsored by McDougalls owned by Premier Foods.
In addition to the kudos of winning the national title, the 2020 champion will receive a £1000 cash prize and the LACA 2020 School Chef of the Year trophy. The winner will also be awarded a work experience trip and an invitation to a calendar of high profile catering industry engagements between 2020 – 2021. The national second and third place winners will receive cash prizes of £500 and £300 respectively.
