Students from colleges across the North West have sampled the life of Army chefs.
Sergeant Tebogo Botsime, Royal Logistic Corps Outreach Engagement Group instructs students from the North West Catering College about the challenge set to them to cook a meal from a 10 person ration pack at Fullwood Barracks in Preston.
Beneb Jatta (Center) from the North West Catering College preps food in the field kitchen tent during the Army's North West Catering Challenge held at Fullwood Barracks, Preston.
Ewan Kelly from the North West Catering College stirs carrots and onion during the Army's North West Catering Challenge held at Fullwood Barracks in Preston.
Students from North West Catering Colleges recieve task briefs from Army Chef instructors in field kitchens ahead of the North West Catering Challenge 2026 held in Fullwood Barracks, Preston.
Around 120 aspiring young food stars of the future enjoyed a blend of culinary disciplines and military skills at Fulwood Barracks in Preston.
Over three days, teams from West Lancashire, Blackpool & Fylde, Salford, Wigan & Leigh, Craven, Trafford, and Lancaster & Morecombe colleges competed in a contest to turn ration packs into tasty meals.
Fun, food and firing
They also got to make their own outdoor ovens and fire rifles, as well as hearing about careers in the Army.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Steve Hutchinson, from HQ North’s Engagement Team, said: “The aim is to show them what we do and what we’re capable of. They are using operational catering equipment, similar to what you would get in a festival setting.
“After they produce amazing meals, which get judged, they get to do some improvised cooking, working out how to build their own barbeque from materials they are given in the field and cooking roast chicken in them. They also get to do some shooting.
Wide range of development opportunites
WO2 Hutchinson said pursuing this career path in the Army provides a wide range of development opportunities.
As an Army chef, at a very early stage, you get a lot of responsibility and through career progression.
“As an Army chef, at a very early stage, you get a lot of responsibility and through career progression. They will get teaching and management qualifications as well as catering ones.
“Alongside that, they have to be soldiers. It’s part of their job, so they will have to do all the elements of that such as firearms training and first aid.”
Among the students, Zoe Mlotshwa, 19, from Wigan & Leigh College said: “It’s a different kind of setting to cooking in college. I like experiencing new stuff and this is something I would do again.
“Cooking with the ration packs is a bit challenging. It’s something we’re not used to but it’s an interesting test.
“I’m hoping we win because we have put in so much effort and looking forward to the other activities.
Considering a chef's career in the British Army
Katelyn Ashworth, aged 16, from Worsley College, part of the Salford City College Group, is thinking about a career as an Army chef.
She said: “I enjoyed shooting the Airsoft Rifle. It’s the first time I’ve done that. And it was interesting to see how Army chefs set up and cook out in the field, as well as learning about all the different jobs in the Army.
“I like the thought of being able to feed the soldiers who go out and fight for their country.”
For more information about a career in the Army, visit the Army Jobs website.