A YORK school cook has been recognised for her talents and passion for encouraging children to make good food choices.

Sarah Harrison, who makes the dinners at Acomb Primary School, has been crowned runner up in the Yorkshire and Humber ‘Bread Hero’ category of the Tiptree World Bread Awards.

The awards celebrate bread loaves around the country, from the farmers and millers to the bakers and teachers, which are presented to the judge panel.

Sarah said: “To be runner up felt amazing, I was shocked and feel really excited.

“It’s really strange as I didn’t even know that I had been entered until the ladies from Holgate Windmill got in touch with me to let me know I came runner up.

“So it was a really nice surprise to feel valued by the windmill staff.”

She is passionate about teaching children how to cook and where their food comes from, as well as using local products, and she bakes with the stone ground flour from Holgate Windmill, to which the school arranges educational trips.

She said: “It’s good for kids to know where their food came from, to show them how to make a tomato sauce from scratch with tomatoes, celery and onions, and not just from a jar or bottle.”

Sarah has worked in the food industry for 30 years, and has previously taught the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) catering course at York College, where she met 16-17 year olds who had never made their own food before.

She said: “Some just ate chicken nuggets – its amazing to get children to taste different vegetables and fruits. I love everything about being a school cook, I love the freedom to be able to cook what I want and create my own menus and give the children home-cooked meals.”