Wirral dinner lady wins cook of the year award

A Wirral dinner lady has been crowned City & Guilds School Cook of the year.

The Challenge for School Dinner Ladies, held at Hotelympia on 19 February, gave contestants 45 minutes to prepare, cook and present two portions of a nutritious main course lunch.

The dishes had to consist of fresh ingredients and be suitable for children.

Christina Hughes, of West Kirby Grammar School, emerged victorious from a field of 10.

Her lunch consisted of honey and mustard glazed Quorn and vegetable and sweet potato kebab, served with couscous and a sweet chilli and yoghurt dip.

Hughes, who works for Sodexho, was commended by the panel of judges, which included BBC chef Alan Coxon, for the taste and visual appeal of her dish.

She received a £250 cheque and Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres silver "first in class" medal.

By Phin Foster

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