Open to Key Stage 3 students from across the Trust, the competition launched last term with 118 teams from schools across Manchester, Stoke, Merseyside and West Yorkshire taking part in regional heats.

Students worked in teams of two and were given a mystery selection of familiar ingredients, all revealed blind. With just one hour on the clock, they had to plan, prepare and plate a dish that was both tasty and well-presented.

Our students prepared some incredible dishes that impressed both peers and judges alike made from ingredients including, chopped tomatoes, fusilli pasta, onions, peppers and garlic.

A winning team from each secondary school will now head to 1 Angel Square for the grand final on Thursday, 26 June where the 22 finalists will face a brand-new set of ingredients, specially selected by the Co-op’s Food Development Team and cook under pressure in front of judges and guests from Co-op and across the Trust. 

Organiser and Director of Design & Technology and Vocational Education, Drew Wicken, said: “Across all regional heats, the students' dedication and enthusiasm has been a joy to witness.

“Teachers and judges commented on the high calibre of the dishes and the difficulty they faced in selecting just two finalists from each school. 

“A huge thank you to the Trust’s Community Team and Academy Community Pioneers, the Community Council Members and everyone from Co-op who took part in judging panels at each academy.

“Next stop, Angel Square!”

A huge congratulations to all the students, teachers, and schools involved in making the regional heats such a huge success!