SCHOOL cooks from Sandbach and Nantwich have been serving up a feast this week in a bid for fame across the north west.

The National School Cook of the Year, organised by the Local Authority Caterers Association and sponsored by British meat, aims to get rid of the old image of school dinners.

Anne Pepper, from Worleston C of E Primary School, and Andrea Howells, from Wheelock Primary School, will be battling it out with four other cooks from across the county.

The daunting task facing the competitors is to prepare a two course meal for four pupils for just 60p.

Each cook also has to supply a costing sheet and recipe for the two course meal for 25 portions so the judges can work out the nutritional value.

The Cheshire heat was due to take place on Tuesday at the West Cheshire College in Handbridge.

County council chairman, and Crewe councillor, David Newton is a member of the judging panel.

He said: "Points will be awarded in a number of categories including innovative use of ingredients, taste and appeal to children, catering ability and nutritional balance, all very important factors in a diet.

"The competition will no doubt prove again that here in Cheshire can be proud of our school cooks."

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