Cookery students at City of Wolverhampton College will be learning how army chefs produce meals for soldiers when they take part in a ration pack challenge on Wednesday (4 May).
Students working towards the level 2 diploma in professional cookery will be taking part in the challenge run by 167 Catering Support Regiment, part of the Royal Logistics Corps, which provides catering to the Regular Army and Army Reserve.
The group of 13 students will be provided with ration packs which the army use to feed their soldiers when training or on operations, as well as bread, potatoes, eggs, vegetables, flour, cream and chocolate, and will be given two hours to plan a menu and produce a three-course meal.
Chefs from the regiment will be on-hand to support the students and will give feedback on the quality of their dishes and where improvements could be made.
The students will also hear about opportunities within 167 Regiment, which is made up of trained chefs, as well as the benefits of joining either the Regular Army or Army Reserve.
Nichola Doherty, hospitality and catering tutor at the college, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the students and, as well as enabling them to showcase their cooking ability, will also test their skills in teamwork, communication and timekeeping as they work together to decide on their menus and produce their chosen dishes within the given time.”
Sgt Peter McAlindon QVRM, from 167 Catering Support, said: “The regiment is made up of people from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and locations who have a passion for cooking and have taken this to the next level by supporting the Army Reserve.
“It has much to offer its soldiers and the regiment has spent a lot of time and effort improving catering skills and developing its troops and we hope that our visit will inspire some of the young people to consider a role with us when they have completed their qualification.”
Get details of cookery and catering courses offered by the college here
Picture copyright Express & Star
