A school cook from Morecambe has received national recognition after she got through to the national final of the School Chef of the Year competition.
Rose Simpson, 42, who disliked school dinners herself, has been cooking up healthy and tasty meals at Morecambe Bay Community Primary School for 11 years. Rose started her working life as a ‘Saturday girl’ in a café. She had not considered working in a school kitchen until she met a supervisor who inspired her.
Rose joined 11 other school chefs from across the UK at the national finals, which took place last week at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, organised by the Local Authority Catering Association.
“My signature dish, and it’s certainly one the children enjoy, is a vegan hash wrap, said Rose. “Teriyaki also seems to go down well. To be honest, the children seem to like most of the meals we cook for them.
“If there is a secret to our success, it’s that we talk to the children about food – especially when we’re introducing a new dish. We also run taster sessions so that the children can give unusual foods a try.
“My colleagues and I are quite lucky in this school because the children are quite educated where food is concerned; they realise that a healthy meal can also be really tasty.
“Even the school tuckshop only sells fruit, and the children are fully behind that.”
Rose added: “It’s very important that children eat well and healthily during the day. If they’re hungry, they won’t be able to concentrate on their lessons.
A Year 5 pupil explained why she enjoys the meals so much: “My favourite school meal is Cheese Swirl because it is cheesy and creamy. I love Apple Crumble dessert because it’s very sweet and sour.”
Rose has also inspired a pupil to want to learn to cook: “I love how tasty the pasta is and I want to know the secret recipe so I can enjoy it even more.”
Sue Taylor, the Headteacher at Morecambe Bay Community Primary School understands how challenging it can be for Rose and her team to produce healthy and enjoyable meals for the children: “On a daily basis, delicious aromas waft from the kitchen. I am always impressed that the team create such healthy and tasty food”.
County Councillor Jayne Rear, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for Education and Skills, added: “I’m both impressed and proud of Rose and her team for making it through to the national finals. Providing many children with healthy and nutritious school meals that they enjoy isn’t easy.’’
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