North Tyneside school superchef Simon Rawle is one step closer to national stardom thanks to his sticky banoffee pudding recipe.
Simon, from North Tyneside Council’s catering team and who is based at Churchill Community College in Wallsend, beat off stiff competition to make it through to the semi-finals of the Big School Bake Off.
Designed to recognise and reward talent and passion in school kitchens, the annual competition requires contestants create a dessert or snack that is both healthy and appealing to children.
Judges from The Children’s Food Trust, LACA and Unilever Food Solutions were impressed with the creativity demonstrated by all those that entered. Aligning with the School Food Standards in England, this year all entries had to include at least 50 per cent fruit to meet the standard for the fruit-based desserts on the menu at least twice a week.
Simon will compete against nine other cooks during the semi finals next month where the judges will look for flair, creativity and technical ability. He will have an hour and a half to cook his sublime recipe, which includes bananas and dates, transforming it into a showstopper.
The eight highest scoring semi-finalists on the day will compete at the grand final at the Unilever Food Solutions’ Chefmanship Centre in Leatherhead in September. The winner’s school will get a televised visit from a celebrity chef.
Congratulating Simon on his success, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Norma Redfearn said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Simon has done so well in this national competition and we will all be cheering him on in the next round when he makes his wonderful sticky banoffee pudding. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all our school chefs who do such a fantastic job day in, day out, producing delicious meals on a tight budget for our children and young people.”
Churchill Community College’s Headteacher David Baldwin added: “I am so proud of Simon. He is an excellent chef who is always ready to go that extra mile in the service of our young people.”
ENDS