Tracey Gibbs is the best school chef in Wales!
The Porth Junior School cook swept the board at the Welsh Regional Final of the School Chef of the Year Competition organised by the Local Authority Caterers Association and sponsored by Maggi from Nestle Professional.
Recognised as one of the most outstanding school chefs in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Tracey has been highly commended for her culinary achievements for many years and this is the second time for her to reach the Welsh Regionals.
But she’s celebrating winning the Welsh title for the first time and is already preparing her next mouth-watering meal at the national final in May.
Tracey, who had already earned the title of Rhondda Cynon Taf School Chef of the Year, battled it out with a cooking opponent from Ceredigion at the Regional Final held before a packed audience in Tonypandy Community College.
Finalists in the competition were tasked with making a two-course lunch that would appeal to an 11 year old, while spending no more than £1.35 per child on the whole meal.
Tracey, who became a cook at Porth Junior School ten years ago, served up her delicious – and perfectly designed – menu of Welsh Lamb and Tomato Grill styled as a dragon, followed by a scintillating Strawberry Swansea Light which impressed the judge’s taste buds.
“I was very nervous this year, probably more nervous than ever before”, the grandmother explained. “Apparently I was quiet, which is a sign I must have been worried!”
“I think the competition was much more intense than previous years, and the judges were constantly watching every move I made. So you can imagine how overjoyed I was to win the title. It really means a lot to me and I can’t wait for the National Finals in Birmingham.”
Since returning to school Tracey has been inundated with messages of goodwill from teachers, children, parents and fellow staff.
Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning said: “Congratulations to Tracey on such an outstanding achievement! Her work is exemplary and she’s long-since been recognized for her culinary expertise throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. Now she will be our ambassador on a national level and we can’t commend her enough.
“It just goes to show the wealth of talent we have in Rhondda Cynon Taf and how fortunate our children are to receive not only healthy, wholesome food, but the fact that it is prepared and served by experts like Tracey. We certainly wish her well and look forward to her national competition performance.”
