Lucknow: To improve the quality, nutritional value and taste of meals served to schoolchildren, UP will hold a contest to identify the best cook in Dec 2026.According to directives issued by additional chief secretary, basic and secondary education, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, each district will select 30 cooks. The assessment will focus on taste, nutritional value, cooking techniques, cleanliness, safety and behaviour, carrying a total of 55 marks.The top three cooks will receive prize money of Rs 3,500, Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,500, respectively, while 27 cooks will get consolation prizes of Rs 300 each. The menu will be decided on the spot through a lottery and will emphasise locally available grains, pulses, seasonal vegetables and other food items.Preference will be given to cooks working in schools with higher enrolment and attendance and to those with at least three years of experience under the scheme. Only cooks with regular service records will be eligible to participate.Officials said the competition will be judged by students. Districts have been instructed to submit applications from participating cooks by Nov 15.
