The catering staff at Maguiresbridge Primary School have been selected to represent the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) in the 'Primary School Kitchen of the Year' competition.

Sandra Tubman, Unit Catering Supervisor and catering assistants, Lorraine Graydon and Sharon Clarke work together in the kitchen of Maguiresbridge Primary School preparing and cooking meals for over 70 pupils.

Sandra, who has been cooking school meals for over 20 years, explains that they have been chosen out of all the primary school kitchens in the Board area to represent the Board in this province-wide competition.

She claims that Honor Irvine, the school principal, talked her into entering the competition and they found out they had been successful when Angela McCoy, their catering manager from the Western Board, wrote out to them.

To enter the competition, Sandra explains, they had to complete a folder of information detailing what exactly they do each week.

Sandra details how her, and her staff, actively promote healthy eating at the school: "We provide meals for 70 plus children on a daily basis as well as healthy snacks for the entire school. We also provide a 'meals on wheels' service twice a week for 32 members of the local community."

To be selected to represent the education board, Sandra and her staff were judged on all the information they provided in their folder, with special attention paid to healthy eating practices, working in the community and other initiatives the catering staff at the school set up.

They will now be up against representatives from the four other Boards for the title of 'Primary school kitchen of the year,"

The winners will be announced at an awards evening in the Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus on 7th November. On the night, all Board winners will be acknowledged as well as an overall winner selected.

Sandra, Sharon and Lorraine are delighted to be selected from the WELB and are looking forward to a good evening whoever wins.