I ditched a Michelin-starred cooking career to serve school dinners… now I'm The Sun school chef champion

Scottish Sun

25-06-2025

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MONTELL DOUGLAS has become a fitness icon for a generation of kids as Gladiator Fire – after the rebooted show became a huge Saturday night hit.
But when she paid a surprise visit to Henry Cavendish Primary School in Balham, South London, last week, it was to celebrate another hero making a difference to children's health.
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Gladiator Montell Douglas visited Henry Cavendish Primary School to meet chef Nathan Scarlett
Credit: Darren Fletcher
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Nathan has been named The Sun's School Chef Champion
Credit: Darren Fletcher
Nathan Scarlett, 32, aka Chef Nathan at the school, has become a favourite of the 800 pupils thanks to the super-delicious food he creates and his inspiring personality.
Former Olympic sprinter Montell, who wowed on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing with pro partner Johannes Radebe, dropped in during assembly to tell Nathan he had been named The Sun's School Chef Champion — as part of Jamie Oliver's Good School Food Awards.
He was nominated by countless pupils after we asked readers to tell us about the best school cooks.
Montell said: 'I jumped at the chance to surprise Chef Nathan with his trophy.
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"What an inspirational guy, and he is fuelling the future of our kids.
'Since becoming a TV Gladiator, I love that it has allowed me to become a role model for kids.
"But Chef Nathan proves not all heroes wear Lycra.'
As well as overseeing meals at two sites at Henry Cavendish, professional chef Nathan also runs after-school cooking clubs and holiday clubs encouraging children to eat well. He said: 'Winning was such a shock and it is amazing.
'But award or no award, working with the children, getting to know them and seeing all of their happy faces every day . . . that is my reward.'
Nathan has achieved an astonishing amount at Henry Cavendish in the year he has been working there.
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The dedicated chef gave up a career in Michelin-starred London restaurants and top private catering to become a school cook.
He reveals his passion for cooking came out of his own reliance on school meals.
Nathan said: 'I grew up in foster care.
'I was in about eight different foster homes around South London during my childhood.
'My mother placed me in foster care as she wanted me to have a better life.
'I fell in love with cooking during home economics lessons at school because I loved eating.
'I started volunteering when I was only 15 years old.
"It was in the kitchen of Chez Bruce, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Wandsworth, South West London, and also with chef Richard Corrigan.
'I went on to study catering at college and eventually they took me on at Chez Bruce.
'I later worked in private catering, including for a top law firm.
'I enjoyed it but knew in my heart I wanted something else.
'ROLE MODEL'
'One of my final foster mothers also ran a childminding business, so there were always young children around and I just really enjoyed that setting.
'So the idea of becoming a school chef suited me and I have not looked back.
'I got married last year — and my wife Talitha is a primary school teacher, so we share that passion.'
But Nathan insists that his young customers are as discerning as his previous clientele at those high-end establishments, and that passion and attention to detail are just as important.
He said: 'As soon as I started at the school I knew that I wanted to involve the kids.
'I created a School Food Ambassador for every class and meet them every week to ask for their input.
'They also help serve the meals.
'When you are catering for children you have to think differently.
'For instance, the younger children often like to have everything separately on their plate, they do not like things mixed together or pre-mixed in a sauce.
'So we serve everything separately and the children build a nutritious plate, assembling a balanced meal as they wish.'
Nathan was hired at Henry Cavendish when the school decided to stop outsourcing cooking to an outside catering firm, and take control of dinners back in house under the control of a school chef.
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Nathan involves the kids in his meal-making and takes their input
Credit: Darren Fletcher
The school's headteacher, Matthew Apsley, is thrilled Nathan's dedication has been recognised.
He said: 'Chef Nathan's passion for food is contagious.
"He inspires the children with everything he does. He isn't just a school chef, he is role model.'
When I sat down to sample lunch for myself — a delicious Caribbean-style chicken drumstick with salad, rice and pineapple on the side — a group of Year Six pupils explained why Chef Nathan is so loved in the school.
Lillia Hau, 11, said: 'I used to have packed lunches, then I heard there was a new chef so thought I would give school dinners a try.
"They are so good.
'He is such a nice guy, he always comes around and asks if we like our meals, and offers us seconds.
He's not just feeding children, he's fuelling their confidence, curiosity and sense of belonging
Jamie Oliver
"After we finished our SAT exams recently, he baked us a special cake.'
Jamie Oliver launched The Good School Food Awards, backed by The Sun, three years ago because he wanted to champion excellence in school meals.
Jamie said: 'Nathan is a truly worthy winner of The Sun's Chef Champion Award.
"Since joining the school last year, he's totally transformed the food.
'He's not just feeding children, he's fuelling their confidence, curiosity and sense of belonging.
'He's teaching kids how to cook, he is running after-school clubs and holiday clubs. He's an absolute superstar.'
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