The Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards celebrate the sheer brilliance of those working in the school food system. Winners of the Good School Food Awards are presented with a Golden Spoon trophy as well as other prizes.
An awards spokesperson said: “When it comes to school food, it’s no secret that not all lunch trays are created equal. Schools operate on vastly different playing fields – some boast state-of-the-art kitchens and ample resources, while others face an uphill battle with limited support.
“But just imagine what could be accomplished if all schools had the right support and resources, what that would mean to the success of every child in the school system? Through the Good School Food Awards, and showcasing the amazing things being done – often through sheer hard work and finding money in creative places – we want to empower parents, teachers and catering staff.”
Nominations for the awards will close on Saturday 12th April. The judges include Jamie Oliver, Mary Berry and Joe Wicks. LACA vice chair Brad Pearce has been selected as an expert panel advisor alongside Henry Dimbleby and Stephenie Slater.
There are six categories available for nomination, including:
Lifetime Achievement Award: The school caterer who’s made lunchtimes extra special, the school chef who’s always been a hero, or simply someone who’s dedicated their career to making sure children have access to delicious, nutritious food at school.
Food Educator: A brilliant food educator who goes above and beyond, teaching the essential skills that will enable their students to lead a happy and healthy life.
School Chef Champions: The school chef or team that provides great food throughout the school day – from breakfast and lunch to snacks and after-school events, putting love and care into all the dishes they serve and striving to be as sustainable as possible.
Food Kindness Hero: This person – student or staff member – has shown real kindness through food at school and in their local community. It could be cooking and delivering food to those in need, setting up community cafés at school, providing mealtime opportunities with older generations, or running local community fridges.
Food for Fitness: This inspiring and encouraging person is all about getting children excited about good food and being active. From cooking and eating good food to making exercise super fun and engaging, they’re all about boosting children’s minds, bodies and souls.
School Food Leader: This leader – whether a headteacher, deputy head, or governor – has a vision for celebrating food in all its forms within the school. They’re a real game changer, putting good food – for both growing minds and the planet – at the heart of everything they do.