Finalists will cook their recipes in front of a panel of industry expert judges for the chance to be crowned the winner of the McCain Simply One Pot Meal Competition 2017.
Jo Simmons, senior product and communications manager at McCain, said: “The One Pot Meal Competition is a great way to celebrate the brilliant chefs who work so hard to make the nutritious meals that fuel young people across the UK.
“Each year we have been surprised and excited by the outstanding quality and creativity that these cooks bring to the table and I expect this year to be no different.”
Anne Bull, former LACA chair; McCain assistant development chef, Gill Locker; and Judy Gardner, founder of the Eckington Manor Cookery School, will be on the judging panel and will score each dish on specific criteria such as creativity, presentation, flavour, colour and texture.
The final five are:
- Fred Chemin from Hertfordshire Catering Limited (Berkhamstead)
- Karen Clarke from Cambridgeshire Catering Services
- Rose Khan from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Services
- Mary Lillis from Devon Norse
- Donna Amiteye from Norse Commercial Services
Each finalist will receive a complimentary dinner and overnight’s stay at the Eckington Manner hotel along with their line manager and have their recipe published on the McCain Foodservice website. The overall winner will receive an all-expenses paid culinary trip for two to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage HQ.