TSAT School Food Influencer Competition 2025


Pupils cook up a storm in the TSAT School Food Influencer Competition 

A group of talented young chefs from secondary schools across The Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT) recently competed in an exciting culinary challenge. The inaugural TSAT School Food Influencer Competition brought together pupils to create delicious, nutritious dishes that could make their way onto their school menus. 

The competition allowed pupils to show off their culinary flair and creativity. The task was to design a meal that’s not only tasty but also healthy enough to be served in their schools. Pupils had to follow the Government School Food Guidelines and ensure their meals contained specific food groups. They also had to consider how the dish would be prepared in a school kitchen and the cost per unit. 

Representing schools across Kent and Devon, the competitors participated at The Victory Academy, Goodwin Academy, Holcombe Grammar School, Brixham College, and Paignton Academy. Each pupil brought their own unique ideas to the table, and their dishes were judged by leadership panels in each school. 

The Victory Academy saw three Year 10 pupils take part. Tilly and Rhys created a delicious display containing Teriyaki Beef Tacos and Chicken Parm, but the school’s winner was Ellie, with her Peri Peri Chicken Tagiliatelle. Holcombe Grammar School’s winner is Aiden with his Special Fried Rice Dish. 

Brixham pupils served up a storm: Isabelle’s Beef Tacos, Charlie C’s Chicken Burrito and Bella’s Chicken Gyros, but it was Charlie R’s Butterfly Chicken, Rice and Stuffed Mushroom that took the crown, moving forward to the next stage. The entries from Goodwin Academy consisted of Ruby’s Chicken Sausage Pasta, Bethany’s Burger Pasta and the winning dish, Freddie’s Sweet Chicken Stir Fry. After 80 entries, Paignton’s three finalists wowed their judges with Amelie’s Beef Tacos, Jacob’s Dirty Rice with Halloumi and Honey and the winning dish, Kara’s Banging Chicken.