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Duygu Dee Karakus goes through to SCOTY national final

Duygu Dee Karakus goes through to SCOTY national final
Duygu Dee Karakus goes through to SCOTY national final
06 May 2026
Duygu Dee Karakus from Cogan Primary School (Big Fresh Catering Company) has made it through to the School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) final after completing the Wales regional cook-off.

Competitors for the SCOTY competition, which is sponsored by Bisto from Premier Foods, must prepare, cook and present four portions of a main course and dessert with a total food cost of £1.75 per head in 90 minutes. The two-course menus must meet the School Food Standards and Eat Well Guide.

Regional final winners will each receive a £100 cash prize and advance to the SCOTY final at The School Food Show and Forum. The cook-off took place at the same time as the South West regional final at the Rational Kitchen, Nisbets in Bristol.

Duygu made traditional Turkish lamb doner, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding with Greek yogurt and tomato gravy sauce for her main course. For dessert she created a Nut-free crisp baklava with apple, natural date sweetness and creamy butterscotch Angel Delight.