LACA SCHOOL CHEF OF THE YEAR (SCOTY) REGIONAL HEAT AWARDS 2025

We are delighted to share the news regarding the LACA SCHOOL CHEF OF THE YEAR (SCOTY) REGIONAL HEAT AWARDS 2025.

Totally Local Company colleagues Jayne Stubbs, Schools Catering Manager, and newly appointed LACA Regional Chair for the Northwest, and Lisa Tottle, Quality and Training Lead, and LACA Northwest Treasurer, were invited to attend the LACA (SCOTY) Northwest Regional Heat held at Rational’s Kitchen in Cannock on the 9th April.

After delivering a successful speech, Jayne was invited to present the trophy to the Northwest winner, Stehpen Rhodes-Heaton, Chef at Elton High School, part of Bury Metropolitan Borough Council.

Image: LACA colleagues with Stephen Rhodes-Heaton, the Northwest Regional Heats Award Winner 2025, with Jayne Stubbs, TLC School Catering Manager, along with LACA Sponsor.

Featured in the images below, Stephen’s winning dish was Tandoori Chicken Pitta Pockets, Savoury Rice, with Yoghurt and Mint Sauce. Additionally, his winning dessert was homemade Apple and Cinnamon Crumble with Custard. As a result, Stephen will now advance to the finalists’ event taking place in July 2025.

Image: From left to right, Lisa Tottle, TLC Quality and Training Lead with Stephen Rhodes-Heaton, the Northwest Regional Winner, with Jayne Stubbs, TLC School Catering Manager, and LACA Northwest Regional Chair.

The SCOTY competition is open to all kitchen-based staff involved in the daily preparation of pupils’ meals in schools across the UK whether from a local authority or contract-catered site, managed in-house, academy school or part of a Multi-Academy Trust.

What is required for the competition?

Competitors must prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.70 per head in 90 minutes that meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide.

Regional final winners each receive a £100 cash prize. At the national final, the 2025 National Winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, the 2025 LACA School Chef of the Year trophy and an invitation to a calendar of catering industry events. The national second and third place winners will receive £500 and £300, respectively.

The national final will once again be held at the LACA Main Event on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th July 2025 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole with the overall winner announced on the evening of Wednesday 9th July.

As a leading provider of exceptional catering services to the education sector in Stockport Borough and across Greater Manchester, we pride ourselves on our team of expert cooks who specialise in nutrition and culinary excellence. Our commitment goes beyond simply feeding children — we aim to foster a sense of community through the shared enjoyment of wholesome, nourishing meals.

To learn more about our School Catering Services, please visit our website.

As dedicated contributors to the catering industry, we wholeheartedly support initiatives that celebrate excellence. That’s why at TLC we are encouraging our Cooks to enter the 2026 competition, which opens for entries this July.