School pupils’ culinary inventions win the Tasty Careers Schools Challenge

Pupils from schools across Wales have been taking part in the Tasty Careers Schools Challenge, a competition that challenges pupils to design food products and dishes that are healthy, sustainable, and commercially viable.

The Tasty Careers Schools Challenge is a National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD) Wales initiative in partnership with the Welsh Government funded programme Food & Drink Skills Wales | Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru. Supporters of this year’s Schools Challenge include Careers Wales, Castell Howell Foods, AMRC Cymru, Leprino Foods and hospitality group Seren.

The competition has been running since 2018, with finals taking place in North and South Wales. The North Wales competition requires pupils to create a new product for a food and drink manufacturer, and the South Wales competition requires pupils to create a new dish for a restaurant group’s menu.

Previous winners have completed the briefs so successfully that their products have gone on to be professionally produced and sold.

This year’s competition has attracted a high number of entrants: 1196 pupils from schools across Wales took part. The South Wales finalists were Ysgol Harri Tudur, Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Cwmtawe Community School, Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth, Ysgol Glan y Môr, Ysgol Coedcae and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin. The North Wales finalists were Ysgol Clywedog, Ysgol Treffynnon, Ysgol Bryn Elian, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni.

They battled it out in the finals, which took place on March 7 at Conwy Business Centre and on March 19 at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli.

The winning schools were Ysgol Dyffryn Aman with their Trio of Welsh Desserts (Welsh Cake Cheesecake, Chocolate and Coffee Ganache and Fruit Cake with Welsh Cake Ice Cream) and Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni with their ‘Cwci Cefni’ (i.e. cookie dough).

Caryl Milburn, teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, said:

“The Tasty Careers Challenge has given the pupils an unforgettable opportunity outside of the classroom. They have had a chance to develop their skills by working together with others to develop a new and exciting food product that prepares them for the world of work. I have enjoyed preparing the pupils and am grateful to Tasty Careers and all the partners for the opportunity.”

Rebecca Flower, teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, said:

“As a school we have really enjoyed taking part in the tasty careers challenge this year. The pupils have really enjoyed researching into the Welsh ingredients and the heritage that is linked with our dish. This challenge has helped the pupils build and develop essential skills from communication, team work and research. This is a competition that has shown great skills and dedication from all and we look forward to taking part in future years.”

Louise Cairns, CEO for NSAFD/Tasty Careers, said:

“Congratulations to Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman for their outstanding performance in this year’s Tasty Careers Schools Challenge. The judges were highly impressed with all the entrants but their creations really stood out for sustainability, commercial viability – and of course, taste. We hope that participating in this competition will inspire some pupils to consider a career in Wales’ outstanding food and drink sector.”

Nerys Davies, Food & Drink Skills Wales | Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru Project Manager, added:

“We’re delighted to have partnered with NSAFD Wales on this fun and highly educational competition, which helps pupils to get creative with food while learning about budgeting, local sourcing and healthy eating.

“It delivers huge value for the participants, and gives a valuable insight into the careers available in the food and drink sector. It’s been fantastic to hear the positive feedback from pupils and the level of interest there is in exploring a future within the vibrant food and drink sector in Wales.”

John Edwards, a business engagement adviser at Careers Wales, said:

“It has been fantastic to see the pupils work together with creativity and enthusiasm to produce their products, both throughout the preliminary rounds and at the final competition.

“The challenge not only provides a chance to increase pupils’ understanding of the industry and develop related skills, but also broadens their aspirations and encourages them to think about their futures. This is a fantastic example of how we can empower pupils with immersive and engaging careers learning through partnership working.”