Karen misses out on top spot - but remains a winner in our eyes!

Orkney’s Karen Bevan was pipped to the top School Chef of the Year title at Wednesday’s national cooking competition in Birmingham.

However, Karen is a winner in all our eyes for the key mix of ingredients that she brought with her to the event - drive, determination, effort, talent, belief and the want to put Orkney on the map – which she certainly succeeded in doing.

Orkney’s School Catering Manager, Scott Pring, said: “What a superb effort by all and while Karen may not have been named overall winner, she has done us all proud.

"The support she has had throughout this competition clearly shows that she is already regarded as a superstar.

"This has been a fantastic journey and an uplifting story.

"Our massive thanks must go to Karen for the huge effort with which she has put into this competition in her own time. She really was superb.

"We are very grateful for all her efforts and to the Orkney public for the outstanding support that she has received.”

We will catch up with Karen on her return home to Stromness to hear all about the experience and share details on the winner and the dishes chosen.

For now, let’s congratulate Karen – who remains Scotland’ top school chef - for serving up a first-class effort!

The UK-wide School Chef of the Year competition was held in Birmingham on October 12-13. It's organised by the LACA – The School Food People and sponsored by Quorn Professionals and is the education catering sector's premier culinary skills competition. School chefs from all over Britain registered to take part in the 2021 competition.

To find out more about Karen's journey to the national finals, read our previous story.