Tracey Takes Top Chef Title
Tracey Gibby has been crowned ‘Queen of the Kitchen’ after making a meal of it to clinch the Welsh School Chef of the Year title.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is delighted that one of its lunchtime staff has won national acclaim for her culinary skills.
Tracey, who works at Porth Junior School as part of the Council’s Catering Services team, won the hearts of the judges with her three-course meal, which she cooked in just 90 minutes.
Her winning meal comprised of Pork and Orange Provencale, Julienne carrots, Mange tout with garlic potatoes. Dessert was a Choux ring filled with panna cotta and fresh fruit salad and a sugar crunch topping.
The Council’s Catering Services provides school meals five-days-a-week during term time at the reasonable price of £2.40 (primary schools) and £2.65 (secondary schools).
Held at Croesyceiliog Community Education Centre in Cwmbran, Tracey took on the finest school chefs in Wales. She now goes on to represent Rhondda Cynon Taf and the rest of Wales at the UK School Chef of the Year finals in Stratford upon Avon on March 10.
Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Congratulations to Tracey Gibby on getting this national recognition and for flying the flag for school meals across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“As well as highlighting her own personal skills in the kitchen, this national title also highlights the amazing value for money we offer our students every day. It also shows why it is so important for us to continue to provide quality, nutritious meals.
“All of our school chefs and their teams are passionate about the role they play in educating children and young people about how healthy meals can help them achieve more, both academically and physically.”
