Vertas Group Celebrates Three Talented Chefs Entering The School Food People (LACA) School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) 2026

Vertas Group is proud to announce that three of our exceptional Head of Kitchens have stepped forward to compete in the highly respected The School Food People (LACA) School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) Competition 2026.

The SCOTY competition is one of the most prestigious events in the school catering calendar, shining a spotlight on the skill, creativity and dedication of school chefs across the country. Preparation is already in full swing, and this year, our team is more motivated than ever.

Building on an Outstanding 2025 Performance

In 2025, the chefs achieved an incredible milestone: all three of the Nottinghamshire County Council entrants reached the national final at the LACA Main Event, held at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel.

Watch the 2025 national finalists in action here: 🔗 LACA School Chef of the Year 2025

Their success has set the bar high and our chefs are ready to raise it even further in 2026.

Meet Our 2026 The School Food People (LACA) SCOTY Competitors

Charlotte Boulton – Northfield Junior School
Returning for her second year, Charlotte brings passion, precision and a drive to elevate her dishes even further in 2026. She impressed judges last year, and she’s back with even more creativity.

Jennifer Haigh – Mission Primary School
Another returning competitor, Jennifer is known for her flair, confidence and ability to deliver bold, exciting flavours. She’s determined to build on her 2025 journey and “smash it out of the park” this year.

Helen Brooks – Ranskill Primary School
Our newcomer to the competition, Helen is already making waves. Her natural talent and beautifully developed dishes have wowed students and staff alike and she’s only getting started.

Bringing SCOTY to the Classroom

To meet the competition brief, each chef must create a main course and dessert within a £1.75 budget, incorporating specific sponsored ingredients and evidencing how the dishes scale for a real school environment.

Our chefs have already begun trialling their menus with pupils:

• Helen served her dishes at Ranskill Primary School, receiving glowing reviews and even a handmade collage of feedback from pupils.
• Jennifer cooked for students and governors at Mission Primary School, where her menu was met with enthusiasm and praise.
• Charlotte will present her dishes next week, featuring a standout main: Stuffed Loin of Pork and we can’t wait to see the reactions.

Championing Excellence in School Food

The LACA SCOTY competition celebrates the people who make a difference in schools every day. Our chefs embody the spirit of this competition, creativity, care and a commitment to providing nutritious, exciting meals for young people.

We are incredibly proud of Charlotte, Jennifer and Helen. Their talent, passion and hard work showcase the very best of Vertas Group.

Best of luck to our 2026 competitors, you’ve got this, chefs!

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