Forget Masterchef and Michelin stars, because a Bargoed chef has cooked up the ultimate taste bud tingler that will leave parents wishing they were back in school.
Kate Davies wowed judges at the Welsh Regional School Chef of the Year finals with her Spice Street Firecracker chicken curry platter and dessert of mango-style yoghurt pot with cocoa biscuits – created for less than £1.60.
The St Gwladys School cook will represent Wales at the national finals of the competition, run by the Lead Association for Catering in Education, for the second year running.
She won first place at the regional finals on March 4, impressing the judges with her preparation, cooking, creativity, technical ability and presentation skills.
The competitors must create a two-course dish in an hour and a half that would appeal to year six pupils and adhere to the principles of nutritional standards for school meals.
Councillor David Poole, Caerphilly County Borough Council Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, said: “Kate has once again proved that she is a fantastic chef, consistently providing school children with tasty and nutritious meals.
“She is a credit to her school and to the county borough and I wish her the very best of luck in the national final.”