Here’s an unexpected career opportunity: The 2016 LACA School Chef of the Year – it shows there are ways of breaking out of the glamorous world of school cheffing and into the mainstream.

Take for example the catering supervisor at The William Allitt School, in Sunnyside, Newhall. Susan Terris made it through to the national finals after wowing judges with an aromatic shepherd’s pie as part of a two-course meal for £1.60.

The 52-year-old won the East Midlands regional heat by cooking the shepherd’s pie and a pannacotta-style desert. The mother-of-one said she was “very pleased” to have made it through to the national finals, especially after getting a positive reaction from pupils. She said: “My family are all really proud of me and the pupils all gave me great comments.”

Susan was under added pressure as she was being judged by her toughest critics: some school children. Her Shepherd’s Pie was inspired by indian flavours, she said: “It had plenty of spices, with a tricolour topping served with vegetables – and the pudding was a creamy, zesty blanket pudding with a biscuit base.”

The competition, run by the Local Authorities Caterers’ Association, aims to test cookery skills, including food preparation, cooking, creativity, technical ability and presentation skills.

Mrs Terris revealed that she almost declined the opportunity to showcase her talents at the obscure competition. She said: “Derbyshire County Council rang to ask me if I would like to enter the competition and my first reaction was no. Then, after a short while, I thought why not? It would give me a challenge and take me out of my comfort zone. I’m so glad that I changed my mind.”

Now Mrs Terris will compete against nine other regional winners in the national finals, which will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday, 10 March 2016.

Good luck Susan!