A school chef who wowed judges with a £1.60-per-head meal has been shortlisted to be crowned the best in the country.

Michael Tafft came first in the West Midlands LACA School Chef of Year competition held in Cannock, Staffordshire, on Wednesday.

The catering manager of Telford Langley Secondary School, Shropshire, is now set to compete in a national competition.

Mr Tafft will take part in a national final in July, facing off against other regional winners from across the country.

The chef had a budget of just £1.60 per head to create a main meal and pudding which complied with school food standards.

He presented young judges with four servings of a chicken burrito bowl served with garlic and chilli black bean rice with a beetroot.

It was rounded off with a black bean brownie for dessert.

Mr Tafft said he was pleased his dishes had proved popular, and he was looking forward to competing in the summer.

“They enjoyed the flavours but didn’t realise the dishes were loaded with so many vegetables and lots of protein,” he said.

LACA was established in 1990 and represents members who work in the school food sector.

It runs the School Chef of the Year competition to showcase the work they do to feed children across the country.

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, West Midlands

BBC Shropshire