Knox Academy Catering Assistant top in country
This year’s Scottish School Cook of The Year 2019 is Maria Millar, a catering assistant at Knox Academy. Maria beat off strong competition from other school cooks from all over Scotland in the final of the competition. The competition took place at the Cook School Scotland and was sponsored once again by Müller Milk Ingredients.
Maria is originally from Venezuela, but came to Scotland on holiday and has never left. Now a cook at Knox Academy in Haddington, her menu consisted of turkey meatballs in tomato sauce served with rice followed by ‘three milk cake’ which included condensed milk, evaporated milk and double cream.
Maria has already ‘tasted’ success at these awards, winning Scottish School Cook of the Year in 2016.
Tom Reid, Head of Infrastructure, said: “Many congratulations to Maria for her success in this year’s awards. Her menu showcases both innovation and quality of school meals which are freshly prepared daily in our school kitchens across the county.”
Each cook had to create a main dish and dessert within 90 minutes. A maximum of £1.60 was allowed for the cost of the meal and each cook had to comply with the primary based nutrient standards in The Schools (Health promotion and Nutrition Act) (Scotland) 2007 legislation, which is in force in all schools throughout Scotland.
All entrants were encouraged to use at least one item of Scottish produce in both the main course and dessert.
The competition was hotly contested and the other finalists were Eleanor Geddes of East Ayrshire Council and Ann Marie Logan of Scottish Borders Council.