In the capital, Michelle Creed (left) from Broadford Primary School in Harold Hill won over the judges with her main course of a healthy Mac and cheese Bolognaise bake.
Representing the east London school’s meal provider, Havering Catering Services, Creed’s dessert of lime and coconut cheesecake was enough to take her through to the national final in March.
In the South East regional climax, Ouafa Bahloul, a chef for Caterlink at Bandon Hill Primary School in Surrey, produced a Moroccan-inspired main of chicken pastilla with roasted vegetable cous cous and a cucumber and tomato salad.
She followed that up with a dessert of apple and mango maiden served with a coconut sauce, two dishes which were enough to see her progress to the final round of competition.
Creed and Bahloul (left) join Tanya Malone (West Midlands), Amanda Phillips (Yorks & Humberside), Abdul Mahdoul (North East & Scotland), Michael Goulston (East of England) and Donna Spiers (East Midlands) as qualifiers for the final.
All are looking to succeed SCOTY 2017 winner Tracy Healy in claiming the trophy and £1,000 cash prize for their school.
Three regional finalists are still be decided, with the South West and Wales finals set to take place on 16 January and the North West final on 30 January.
The LACA School Chef of the Year 2018 sponsored by Maggi from Nestlé, takes place on Thursday 8th March 2018 at Stratford Upon Avon College.