Northants dinner lady ‘practicing hard’ as she prepares to compete for national cooking gong

A passionate chef who works as a dinner lady at a Northamptonshire school is preparing for a national competition.

Sara Franklin, who serves students at Campion School everyday, has already beaten off local competition to win the regional School Chef of the Year title.Now she is preparing for the national competition that will take place on Thursday (March 5) at Stratford upon Avon College.

Sara said: “I’m really excited to be back in the competition.

“The atmosphere around school has been brilliant. I’ve had loads of support from students and my colleagues.”

All contestants are required to cook the same dish that they served up during the regional heat.

Sara will be cooking a chicken fajita tart with roasted sweet potato wedges and a coriander and lime slaw.

For dessert she will serve a strawberry and lemon bundt cake served with custard.

Sara added: “I’ve been practicing really hard at home every evening after school. My poor family must be sick of chicken fajita tarts.

“I’m really looking forward to it as I’ve really upped my game.

“I’ve worked a lot on my presentation so that it can be outstanding. I used a big plate last time, but I’m trying a small plate now. I’m just changing things like that.

“I’m really passionate about my cooking so to win the competition would be amazing.”

The 2020 champion will receive a £1,000 prize as well as a work experience trip and invitations to high profile catering engagements.