Chairman of the Academy of Culinary Arts Brian Turner has been confirmed as a judge of the 10th School Chef of the Year competition.
Eight school chefs, winners of the regional heats, will go head-to-head for the national accolade on 11 March next year. They will have 90 minutes to prepare a healthy, balanced main course and dessert suitable for serving to 11-year-olds. The cost of the ingredients must not exceed 80p.
Turner is actively involved in increasing practical cookery skills and interest in food among school children through the Adopt a School Trust, a charity run by the academy. He is one of nearly 100 chefs who regularly give demonstrations and talks to schoolchildren.
The Adopt a School programme runs sessions for primary school children aged seven to 11 and for special-needs schools. A more structured programme is being devised to complement key stages in the secondary school curriculum.
On the panel of judges Turner will be joined by a Local Authorities Catering Association representative, a nutritionist and two children. Steve Love, business development chef for Nestlé will chair the panel.