News
February 21st 2024
Gold for RAF Reserves in Inter-Services culinary skills contest
RAF Reservists from 504 Squadron (City of Nottingham) have applied “impeccable skills and calmness under pressure” to win a gold award in the Inter-Services culinary contest Exercise Joint Caterer.
Competing in a team with their fellow RAF Chefs, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force chefs cooked up a storm to beat their Army and Royal Navy counterparts to the prestigious accolade.
As well as the Royal Air Force contingent being crowned overall competition winners, the 504 Squadron Training Team, based out of RAF Wittering, was awarded a gold for the Defence Field Cookery Challenge during the competition in October 2023.
AS1 Ashley Faulkner was also awarded a bronze for her gateaux and gold for her selection of breads.
What made the achievement even more remarkable was the fact 504 Squadron Training Team of Cpl Craig Jones, Cpl Steve Gill, and Cpl Richie Curtis had a matter of days to fully prepare for Exercise Joint Caterer.
3 Mobile Catering Squadron, also based out of RAF Wittering, had originally qualified to represent the Force in the Field Cookery Challenge only to have to pull out at short notice due to operational commitments.
Flight Lieutenant Jill Harrison, the Officer Commanding Catering Flight at 504 Squadron, said: “Our Reserve Chefs’ creativity, impeccable skills and calmness under pressure has been outstanding. Well done to everyone who competed and a huge thank you to all those who supported them.”
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