TWO Salisbury chefs will be going head-to-head next week in a bid to be crowned School Chef of the Year.

Next Wednesday (January 23), Robert Doble, of Sandroyd School, Tollard Royal, and Dave Leeper of The Trafalgar School at Downton will be competing in the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA) South West regional final, demonstrating creative dishes that must be fit for 11-year-olds.

On the day the five contestants will have up to £1.30 to spend and 90 minutes to prepare, cook and serve a two-course menu to judges, and the winner will be granted the title of LACA South West School Chef of the Year 2019, as well as be offered a position in the March national final.

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The meals will be judged by three people including LACA national chairman, Michael Hales, who said: "Every year, this competition allows us to demonstrate to the wider world both the professional expertise of today’s school chefs and the excellent meals they prepare tirelessly every single day in schools across the country.”

Robert is looking forward to the upcoming challenge, held at Weston College, Weston super Mare, adding: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the quality of our school catering using quality, local produce cooked last minute to create nutritional restaurant quality dishes.”

David added: “I’m feeling a bit nervous as it’s the first time in the LACA School Chef of the Year Competition.

“ I am going to draw on all my knowledge and culinary strengths and cook my heart out. If I win, I win and if I don’t it’s all a learning curve. I am really excited about taking part.”