ASSIST FM is delighted to announce the second year of the Scottish National Local Authority FM Awards. The Awards were developed to recognise the excellence, commitment and professionalism delivered on a daily basis throughout all Scotland’s Local Authorities. It is important that we raise the profile of our services by acknowledging individuals and teams of people who continue to make a real difference in the effective and efficient delivery of FM Services throughout Scotland’s Local authority network.

Winning an ASSIST Scottish National FM Award will help boost the confidence, morale and motivation of Scottish local authority Facilities Management Teams. Our industry continues to be driven by the commitment and dedication of its workforce. Maintaining that enthusiasm, and building on performance and driving greater success are annual challenges for all FM operational teams. Acknowledgment of effort is particularly important to not only reward but sustain motivation. As the Leading professional body for all those delivering FM Services throughout Scotland’s local authorities, ASSIST FM are delighted to host the Scottish National FM Awards.

NIKKI MCNAUGHT FROM EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL CROWNED SCOTTISH SCHOOL COOK OF THE YEAR 2013

School Cooks from all over Scotland entered `THE SCHOOL COOK OF THE YEAR 2013` competition.

Out of the fifteen original entries six cooks battled their way through to the final:

Suzanne Fuller – North Ayrshire Council

Nikki McNaught – East Ayrshire Council

Esther Foster – Inverclyde Council

Tracey Biggs – Scottish Borders Council

Marianne Hendry – Stirling Council

Wendy McIntosh – Tayside Contracts

Held at The Cook School Scotland, each entrant was asked to produce, in just 90 minutes, a healthy and balanced two-course meal, which would appeal to either primary or secondary school pupils at a cost of £1.50 per meal. The dishes were required to conform to minimum nutritional standards for school meals but also called for creativity and flair. The competition was open to all catering staff employed by the 32 Scottish Local authorities, and 15 made it through to regional heats, followed by the final. This is the second year that ASSIST FM (The Association for Local Authority FM management) has run the competition, sponsored by Muller Wiseman. The winner was Nikki McNaught from East Ayrshire Council. Nikki works at Loudon Academy in Galston. In second place was Marianne Hendry of Stirling Council, and in third place was Wendy McIntosh of Tayside Contracts.

Nikki’s menu consisted of a main course of Salmon and Pea Fishcakes served with chilli and lime yoghurt dip and homemade coleslaw and cucumber ribbons, and a dessert of Apple Strudel – Spiced Apple filled Filo pastry served with a Summer Berry Sauce. Bill Kennedy, National Chair of ASSIST, stated, “This is the second ASSIST Scottish School Cook of The Year competition and it follows last year’s successful competition. The competition really shows the skill set of caterers within the school meal service across Scotland. We are extremely grateful to the sponsor, Muller Wiseman, and to The Cook School Scotland for their continued support of the Scottish school meals service. It is a real showcase for the high standard of school meals being achieved around the country. ”One of the judges in the final was John McMahon Chef at the Prestonfield Hotel. John stated that, I was really surprised at the quality of the cooking and presentation skills. The cooks were well prepared and their meals were very creative’. So much so that he asked Marianne Hendry from Stirling Council for the recipe for her dessert (Warm Strawberry cupcakes baked in a teacup). Joe Queen, Executive Head Chef of the Cook School Scotland was Chair of the judges and he stated, ‘I have judged many cookery competitions but the standard of this competition was absolutely fantastic. Despite the constraints of the healthy eating guidelines all the competitors served up superb tasty dishes and they should be proud of their efforts. The competition itself was extremely close and hard to judge and it was a real testament to the standard of cooks within the school meals service’. Alan Russell of Main Sponsor, Muller Wiseman Dairies, said, ‘Muller Wiseman were delighted to sponsor the competition for a second time. We supply schools all over the country and we know that there is some fabulous talent out there. This competition is a great way of showing that talent.’

Wendy Mcintosh – Third Place

School Cooks went `head to head` to compete for the prestigious title of  `THE ASSIST SCHOOL COOK OF THE YEAR 2012` at The Cook School Scotland. There were six cooks from around the country who battled their way through to the final: Norrie Scott – Tayside Carol Coupland – North Ayrshire Tracey Biggs – Scottish Borders Tracey Walker – Stirling Sharon Lockhart – West Dunbartonshire Debbie Ward –  East Renfrewshire in third place was Tracey Walker of Stirling Council. In second place was Carol Coupland of North Ayrshire Council.And in first place was Norrie Scott of Tayside. Norrie is Catering Manager at Perth High School.

Norrie’s two course meal was Scottish Lamb and Mint with Pork sausage served with Citrus Couscous and Fresh Mint Raita, followed by Toffee Apple & Blueberry Crumble & Creme Fraiche. Each entrant was required to produce, in just 90 minutes; a healthy and balanced two-course meal which would appeal to either primary or secondary school pupils at a cost of £1.50 per child. The winning dish also was required to conform to minimum nutritional standards and could be made up of poultry, meat, fish and non-meat proteins. The competition was open to all catering staff employed by the 32 Scottish Local authorities. This is the first time ASSIST has run the promotion, and it was a great success.

School meals have been a topic of conversation for many years. Eight years on from Hungry for Success, Scotland is still leading the way when it comes to the role it plays in healthy eating and the meals provided. Budget restraints have made business conditions difficult, along with the pressure of legislation and the constant battle with the street vendors. However, schools all over the country have performed extremely well and deserve as much praise as possible. This competition offers the chance to promote staff, kitchens and schools as well as being a once in a lifetime experience for all those who enter. It will really show that school cooks have the talent and skills expected in the catering industry.The final was judged by Joe Queen (The Cook School Scotland), Garry Watson (Gordon’s Restaurant), Ray Lorimer (Catering At Your Convenience) Alan Russell (Wiseman Dairies), Claire Hislop NHS (Dietician) as well as two primary school pupils: Ava Cook, (Mauchline Primary) and Rachel Brown, (New Farm Primary).Ken Campbell, Chair of ASSIST, stated, “This is the inaugural ASSIST Scottish School Cook of The Year competition and it has been a fantastic success. It has really shown the skill set of caterers within the school meal service across Scotland. We are extremely grateful our sponsors, Wiseman Dairies for their continued support of the Scottish school meals service, and to The Cook School Scotland and Braehead Foods for providing us with such a fabulous facility in which to hold one of our heats and the final. It is a real showcase for the high standard of school meals being achieved around the country. ”One of the judges in the final at was Joe Queen, Executive Chef of Braehead Foods. He was so impressed by the standard of the competition that he is giving one week’s work experience to Norrie. He stated, ‘I have judged many competitions but the standard of this competition was absolutely fantastic. Not only did all the competitors have superb work practices but their skills for creating such great tasting food on such a tight budget is testament to the skills that exist in many Scottish schools around the country. It is something to be really proud of. Thanks go again to our sponsors, Wiseman Dairies and The Cook School Scotland, and to all our judges.

This year’s Scottish School Cook of The Year 2015 is Maria Millar of East Lothian Council. Maria beat off strong competition from 6 other school cooks from all over Scotland in the final of the competition. The competition took place at the Cook School Scotland in Crosshouse and was sponsored once again by Müller Milk Ingredients.

Maria is originally from Venezuela, but came to Scotland on holiday and has never left. Now the cook at Knox Academy in Haddington, her menu consisted of a Chicken Enchiladas with Coleslaw and Strawberry Cheesecake. Maria used local Scottish carrots, onions, cabbage and mushrooms in the Enchiladas, and fresh Scottish strawberries, Scottish strawberry jam and cream. Each cook had to create a main dish and dessert within 90 minutes. A maximum of £1.60 was allowed for the cost of the meal and each cook had to comply with the primary based nutrient standards in The Schools (Health promotion and Nutrition Act) (Scotland) 2007 legislation, which is in force in all schools throughout Scotland. All entrants were encouraged to use at least one item of Scottish produce in both the main course and dessert. The competition was hotly contested. In third place was Paul Hodson of Scottish Borders Council. Runner-up was Mandy McAulay of Fife Council. Chairman of the judging panel, Joe Queen, said, ‘I wouldn’t miss this competition and was delighted to be asked to be involved for a sixth year. The standard these school cooks produce within the constraints of budget and nutritional standards are quite remarkable.’

Alan Russell, from sponsor Müller Milk Ingredients, said, ‘the standard this year was excellent and it was a very difficult decision. Congratulations go to all the cooks who took part for putting up some superb meals.’