Robert Steven, who is Cook in Charge at Muiredge Primary School, won ‘Outstanding Contribution to Catering’ award at the Assist FM Awards.

Nicknamed the ‘Muiredge Masterchef’, Robert came up with a series of cooking masterclasses during the first lockdown, being filmed cooking with different ingredients and making healthy meals that the pupils could follow and make from home. They included chicken curry, homemade pizza, potato scones and garlic potatoes, sausage and mash and an ingredients challenge.

They were filmed over several episodes and released over Google classrooms. Building on the success of series one, series two was launched in January of this year and, as the school had managed to get a green screen, Robert was able to take pupils and parents virtually to different parts of the world, where he cooked dishes from Mexico, Italy and America.

Robert said: “It was fantastic to win the award as it’s always nice to be recognised for the work you are doing.

“I have built up a great rapport with the pupils and staff and my passion is showing how you can make good, healthy food on a budget.

“I always want to ensure people get value for money and let the food do the talking, regardless of the price of the items. Good food doesn’t have to cost a fortune and you can make a little go a long way.”

Muiredge Head Teacher Leigh Miller: “Congratulations to Robert, the award was well deserved, and the children loved taking part in his cooking masterclasses.

“His idea about children embracing cooking from a young age, and learning skills that will last them a lifetime, is one that really resonates with our school community.”

Jayne Jones, National Chair of ASSIST FM, said: “Robert is a worthy winner of the ASSIST FM Outstanding Contribution to Catering Award.

“His passion and commitment for providing good quality, tasty food and using that food as a way of engaging with the young people in his school really is exemplary.

“The way he has used his skill to spark that passion for healthy food amongst the pupils and their families really is what our school meals services are all about, and the way Robert did that particularly during the pandemic using technology and fun was fantastic to see.”