Express & Star

Codsall students crowned cream of the crop after winning cooking contest

Culinary wizards have been crowned the cream of the crop after cooking up a storm at their school.

Published
Students Lily Pearson and Chloe Powell won the contest

Students Lily Pearson and Chloe Powell were named champions after battling it out at The Midcounties Co-operative’s ‘Codsall Cook Off'.

Their winning dish of chicken and bacon pie has since been whipped up for Codsall customers to sample with their recipes promoted in-store.

Alun Harding, executive headteacher at Codsall Community High School, said: "Working with The Midcounties Co-operative has been a fantastic opportunity for our students and we’re very proud of all them for the delicious dishes they created.

"Everyone enjoyed taking part in the competition, and it was brilliant to see the winners’ recipe cooked professionally in-store."

The contest saw six groups of students from the school go head-to-head to cook healthy meals on a £10 budget as part of the co-operative's Healthy Hearts campaign.

Lily and Chloe's winning recipe was cooked live at the co-operative's Codsall store last month and now features in-store on specially designed recipe cards.

Louise Winter, regional community ambassador for The Midcounties Co-operative in South Staffordshire, said: “We were really impressed with Lily and Chloe’s delicious chicken and bacon pie.

"It just goes to show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make great-tasting, healthy meals.

"The competition has been a fun way to get pupils in our community involved in a practical activity and enjoy cooking, whilst highlighting the importance of eating healthily.

"We hope our customers love Lily and Chloe’s winning recipe and will recreate it themselves at home."

The competition forms part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s regional communities strategy in South Staffordshire, which sees members and colleagues come together to support community groups.