Ready Steady Cook: Students Impress in Royal Navy Culinary Challenge

Our students showcased their culinary creativity and skills in an exciting “Ready Steady Cook” event held in collaboration with the Royal Navy on Monday, 19 May. The competition, part of the Navy’s recruitment drive for chefs and culinary teams, saw talented Level 5 and Level 6 Professional Cookery students battle it out.

In true “Ready Steady Cook” style, eight pairs of students in each session were given a surprise shopping basket on the day and tasked with creating a unique dish. With just 30 minutes to plan and cook, students demonstrated innovation, teamwork, and flair as they transformed mystery ingredients into restaurant-quality plates.

John Mair, Professional Cookery and Schools lecturer, said:

“The competition was a mock simulation of what can occur in the Royal Navy. This provided an opportunity for students to use skills learned in College and see the relevance of these skills.”

The event also offered valuable insight into life in the Royal Navy, with the Navy’s recruitment team delivering talks on career opportunities, conditions, and the exciting world of naval cuisine.

Congratulations to the Level 6 winners, Euan Lees and Donovan McIntyre, whose outstanding dishes wowed the judges. Euan and Donovan shared that they “enjoyed the opportunity to compete and come up with their own dishes.” The Best Team Award in Level 6 went to Nadia Agbokuma and Samira Saeid, who impressed with their exceptional teamwork and creative approach.

In the afternoon session, Level 5 students rose to the challenge with equally impressive results. Emma Hoey and Frances McGuire took home the Level 5 winners’ title, while Archie Hannah and Douglas Steel received the Level 5 Best Team Award for their fantastic teamwork. Archie and Frances admitted that they “were both nervous beforehand but are now more confident” following the experience.

The “Ready Steady Cook” event was a fantastic opportunity for students to put their skills to the test, learn from industry professionals, and explore exciting career pathways within the Royal Navy. With creativity, teamwork, and a dash of friendly competition, it was a day to remember for everyone involved.