‘I’m on cloud nine’: South London man wins national School Chef of The Year competition
A chef who serves up dishes at a primary school has beaten off competition from around the UK to become the 2023 School Chef of The Year (SCOTY).
Raheem Morgan, 29, who works at Torridon Primary School in Hazelbank Road, Beckenham, won the national title last week.
Mr Morgan, from Lewisham, had won the regional final earlier in the year and joined competitors from 10 other regions from across the UK, to compete for the title.
It’s the fourth time Raheem has been a finalist in the competition – in 2021 and 2022 he was a runner-up.
The final is over for Raheem Morgan – what did he cook and how do the school children he cooks for like his food? #SCOTY @PremierFoods_FS pic.twitter.com/lrgUIXOY0r
— LACA (@LACA_UK) July 6, 2023
Held in Birmingham at the Hilton Metropole on Wednesday and Thursday, the competition was organised by LACA – The School Food People, and aims to recognise and share the work going on in school catering to bring children delicious and nutritious food.
The 11 finalists, who had competed at regional heats across the country, were judged on the use of Premier Foods products, working practices in the kitchen, creativity, appearance, taste and flavour. They had just one hour and 30 minutes to create four portions of their two-course menu.
Mr Morgan cooked an Asian crispy fish cake with edamame bean and miso puree, served with a wasabi mayonnaise and crispy garnish.
His dessert was a deconstructed lemon cheesecake with apple and basil gel, apple crisp, cherry compote and egg white meringue.
The dishes have been enjoyed by children at Torridon Primary School, where Mr Morgan has been the Unit Manager and Head Chef for two years.
He said: “I try to incorporate spices into the dishes and find that the children are open to trying them – and really enjoy them when they do.
“They see the teachers eating new flavours in the food I cook for them and do the same – they aren’t scared to try.
“I’m always trying to sneak veg into the main courses to add to the nutrition, but also to desserts too, like beetroot chocolate brownies.”
Before coming to school catering, Raheem worked with Michelin-starred chef, Tom Aikens, and held positions of commis, demi and parti chef at Hotel Café Royale, Park Plaza Hotel and The Ivy in Sloane Square.
The 29-year-old’s love of food started when he was around nine years old, cooking Jamaican food with his mum, before following it through school in food tech and into hotels.
He said: “It means the world to win – I’m on cloud nine. I’ve been used to coming second and third but this year it’s me who’s won and I’m so happy.”
He plans to spend some of the £1,000 winnings on taking his school team out to say thank you for their help.
Pictured top: Raheem Morgan after being named winner of the national competition (Picture: LACA)
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