The show attracted record crowds again this year who were able to see a variety of chefs demonstrating outstanding culinary talent in the Food Theatre.

These included two school chefs from Cheshire, who joined Mellor to give a demonstration on today’s great school meals. Darren Davies, operations support manager (south) at Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Jaqueline Hayward, school chef at Audlem St James’ CofE Primary School, Nantwich, demonstrated that school food has moved on from the old days.

Davies made a wholesome chicken and vegetable pie seasoned with thyme and garlic in rich gravy, followed by focaccia bread topped with garlic, rosemary and olive oil, and produced a display of fresh fruit that included figs, pineapple, watermelon and oranges for dessert. Meanwhile Hayward’s main dish was southern coated chicken accompanied by a tomato-based sauce and a watercress, lime and pumpkin seed salad.

Commenting on the demonstration, Mellor said: “Most of us were amazed by what the school chefs produced and I am pretty sure that goes for the packed audience that were watching as well.

“The dishes we saw being professionally produced are regulars on the respective local authorities’ menus and it certainly is not how I remember school food. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding, etc ... well the audience gave their vote as the table was cleared in minutes – there’s no better testimonial than that.”

Mellor will be among other Craft Guild members who are supporting National Schools Meals Week in November and hosting a chef in their own premises or putting a recipe on their menu between November 3-7.

Crewe and Nantwich MP and Minister for Children and Families, Edward Timpson, who attended the festival, said: “I am delighted to see school chefs being given the platform to demonstrate their considerable skills and abilities, and particularly pleased that the Nantwich Food & Drink Festival was chosen as the venue to launch this year’s National School Meals Week.

“Children eating healthily is one of the most important issues facing us today, with child obesity leading to long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease all of which are totally avoidable. A school meal provides a minimum of 30% of a child’s daily nutrients with strict controls on salt, sugar, fats, etc. Conversely only 1% of lunch boxes taken into schools meet the same nutritional values, as revealed by the Government’s School Food Plan last year.

“It is so good to see one of our own school chefs sharing the stage with celebrity, award-winning individuals from the culinary world, especially in the week that all infant school children started receiving a free school meal.”