Now in its fifth year, the competition is aimed at all levels of staff employed in any aspect of local authority catering capable of producing excellent craft pieces, and provides entrants the opportunity to show off their skills that would not normally be seen during their everyday profession.

 The criteria was set by the Craft Guild of Chefs for LACA (Local Authority Caterers Association) and the categories were: decorated celebration cake; decorated novelty cake; bread rolls; floral sugarcraft display piece; sandwiches and wraps; cold canapés; petit fours and biscuits. Smith's craftwork, which won her best in class for the category and the accolade of overall show winner, comprised a delicate champagne flute entwined with flowers and berries that showed off her skills and wowed the judges. The judging panel included Craft Guild CEO Martin Bates, University College Birmingham chef lecturer Mat Shropshall, Royal Garden Hotel pastry chef Nick Hollands and the Birmingham Hilton Metropole's executive chef Paul Taylor. Martin Bates, who presented the awards, said the entries got better and better every year. "I know I always say it but I really do mean it." Best in class winners Biscuits: Jenny Babbington, Warwickshire County Council Bread rolls: Elizabeth Tully, Taylor Shaw Cold canapés: Wendy Kemp, Hertfordshire Catering Decorated novelty cake: Vicky Scott Taylor Shaw Decorative celebration cake: Hazel Robson, Taylor Shaw Floral sugarcraft display: Lynda Smith, LBC Catering Petit fours: Julia Parish Eden Foodservice Sandwiches and wraps: Julie Skelton Rochdale MBC Best in Show winner: Lynda Smith, LBC Catering