After qualifying through regional heats held at academies across the Trust, finalists came together on Wednesday 24 June at the Co-op's headquarters for an unforgettable day of cooking and teamwork.

Hosted on the Foodology floor, the final gave students the opportunity to work alongside the Co-op's Head Chef Dai Llewelyn and colleagues from the Co-op Product team, who shared their expertise and supported students throughout the day.

The finalists were challenged to prepare a range of dishes from scratch, including homemade pizzas and homemade dips, showcasing the cooking skills developed throughout the competition.

The competition brought together students from every secondary across the Trust, celebrating their creativity and passion for food.

As well as competing for the title, every finalist received a goody bag thanks to the generous support of Bunzl. Packed with baking ingredients, cooking utensils, gift cards and other goodies, the bags gave students everything they need to continue developing their love of cooking at home.

Congratulations to our 2026 Co-op MasterChef champions, Co-op Academy Walkden and to every student who took part throughout the competition.

Drew Wicken, Director of Design & Technology at Co-op Academies Trust, said:

“What a joy it's been to watch this competition grow into its second year. The skill and creativity the students poured into their recipes and dishes this year was simply outstanding; every one of them should be incredibly proud. 

All of the students who took part were a wonderful credit to their academies and to the Trust as a whole. A huge, heartfelt congratulations to Co-op Academy Walkden on winning this year's competition. I already cannot wait to see what our young chefs create next year!”

Experiences like this are just one of the many opportunities available to students through the Trust's unique partnership with the Co-op Group. By connecting young people with industry experts and real-life experiences, students are able to develop new skills, build confidence and discover exciting career opportunities beyond the classroom!

Check out some of our favourite moments from the final in the gallery below.