BEING named as one of the nine best in the country is the icing on the cake for the chef at Lady Modiford's School in Walkhampton. Anne Hext-Williams, who is the 2008 School Chef of the Year in Devon, was at the University of Birmingham catering college last week to take part in the Local Authorities' Catering Association national School Chef of the Year competition. The talented cook had, earned her place by being one of two selected from the South West. Anne, 51, had just one and a half hours to prepare a healthy balanced two-course meal comprising a main dish and dessert that would appeal to eleven-year-old schoolchildren. Among the judges was celebrity chef John Burton-Race. With a budget for a two course meal of just 80p, and dishes had to conform to national nutritional standards Anne served up a fillet salmon in lemon crust with boulandere potatoes and roasted vegetables followed by a summer citrus pudding. Although she did not win the top award — it went to Gloucestershire's Sonia Reynolds — Anne said she had a great time and enjoyed every minute. Anne told the Times: 'I had the most wonderful time. The college's chef put on a meal for us, which was superb. They really looked after us. I was quite nervous but they put us all at ease. It didn't matter that I did not win; I just enjoyed the whole experience.' She was aided on the day by some artwork prepared by pupils at Lady Modiford who had created a Dartmoor river scene, complete with salmon, to adorn her workspace. Anne, who has worked at the school for two years, said: 'Working at Lady Modiford as the school chef is the best job I have ever had. It's only a small school but it's a pleasure to work with the staff and children, I could not ask for anything better.' l Anne is pictured, right, just before she set off to take part in the competition. Picture by James Bird
