Bringing her expertise in confidence to the competition, the company said the decision follows feedback showing that the competition is “great for building children’s confidence.”
Byron said: “I’m so thrilled to have been invited to guest judge this year’s competition.
“It’s so important for children to obtain basic cookery skills when growing up - not only to develop independent living skills but because cooking is a brilliant confidence booster.
“Knowing that they can start and complete a task and then watch somebody else enjoy eating something which they have created can really build children’s self-esteem.
“Working as a team to see, smell, taste and touch their final dish is so rewarding and an achievement for them to experience with their peers.
“The competition is a great learning tool, teaching pupils about the importance of local ingredients and encouraging them to go out and source them. I am looking forward to it getting underway.”
Open to schools across the UK, the theme for the 2019 baking challenge is once again local produce, to encourage schools to source ingredients within a 30 mile radius of their establishment.
To partake, schools must register their interest by 5 April and then submit their sweet or savoury recipe (incorporating at least one local ingredient) by 17 May.
Five chosen finalists will then go head-to-head on 11 July at LACA – The Main Event with the winner to take home £1,000 worth of equipment for their school kitchen. All four runners up will take home £250 worth of equipment.