Islington dinner lady up for school chef of the year

A dinner lady will enter a cook-off today for the chance to be named School Chef of the Year.

Caletea Cruickshank, who dishes up delights for pupils at the New North Academy, in New North Road, Islington, will take on seven education eating experts after her jerk chicken and Jamiacan blue drawers dessert were picked as some of the best school dinners in the capital.

In the regional final, she will have 90 minutes to cook a healthy two-course dinner that costs £1.60 per person.

Her meal will have to appeal to youngsters, as two of the judging panel will be nine-year-olds.

The winner goes into a national final later this year.

Anne Bull, from the lead association for catering in education, said talented front line staff in schools prepare tasty and creative dishes to tempt the taste buds of children and young people and provide nutritious meals that can make a major contribution towards altering eating habits, improving diets and decreasing obesity.