A Carshalton school chef is set to battle it out on the national stage next month in a bid to be named Britain’s best.

Bandon Hill Primary School's Ouafa Bahloul was crowned the best in south east England last month (January 12), but will now compete against nine others for the Leading Association in Catering Education (LACA) School Chef of the Year title on March 8.

If successful, she will scoop a £1,000 cash prize and a trophy alongside the national title.

READ: Carshalton school chef named best in south east England

Mrs Bahloul said: “I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait. I’m nervous but I cannot wait and I’m happy.

“Everyone [at the school] has come and said their congratulations, they are really happy I am going through to the final.

“Even the children came up to me [and said congratulations], they really like the food anyway and now I feel like they will like it even more because of that.

“They are really happy about it and me too I am happy. When they come to me it’s a really, really good feeling for me. I’m really happy about it.”

Asked how she rated her chances, Mrs Bahoul added: “I’m in it to win it. It’d be a dream come true if I win it, I would be really, really happy if I win it.

“Of course I’m going to do my best to win it but I’ll be really happy to just to be there and be with everyone and do my best. If I win it, it’s my dream come true.”

The LACA School Chef of the Year 2018 final will be held at Straford upon Avon College in Wawrickshire.

LACA national chair Tim Blowers said: “LACA School Chef of the Year is an excellent way of showing why all schools nationwide should be striving for a high quality school meals service.

“It’s a snapshot of the passion and professional expertise of today’s school chefs and of the commitment and culinary skill they put into producing high quality meals every single day in schools across the country.

“My best wishes go to all ten of our 2018 national finalists.”