FIVE school chefs will compete for the regional title of Wales School Chef of the Year 2020 – and among them is Palmerston Primary’s Tracey Smart.

The LACA School Chef of the Year competition has been the flagship event for school chefs to showcase their professional skills for 25 years.

Against the clock and under the scrutiny of a panel of judges, Ms Smart and her fellow chefs will have to prepare, cook and present four portions of a two course meal suitable for serving to 11 year-olds in primary or secondary schools.

They will have 90 minutes and a maximum spend of £1.30 is allowed for the cost of a single meal - one main course and dessert.

Ms Smart will dish up honey and mustard chicken – chicken in a sweet mustard sauce served on a bed of rice for the main and an apple and, for dessert, cinnamon cake with custard - chunky apple, cinnamon and sultanas in a moist sponge topped with custard.

The winner from this regional heat will go on to represent Wales, against nine other regional champions plus two judges’ wild card competitors, in the National Final which will be held on Thursday, March 5.

The five regional finalists are Sian Pritchard, Llangristiolus, Anglesey; Jo Cox, Pentraeth, Anglesey; Jane Jones, Denbigh; Nicola Pagano, Penarth; and Tracey Smart, of Barry.

The Wales regional final is scheduled to take place in Newtown College, Powys, on Thursday, January 16.