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- Tasks: Prepare attractive menus and manage your workstation in fast-paced kitchens.
- Company: Join the Royal Air Force, a key player in UK defence with global reach.
- Benefits: Enjoy world-class training, career progression, and opportunities to cook for VIPs.
- Why this job: Experience diverse culinary environments while serving your country and developing essential skills.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a passion for cooking and teamwork.
- Other info: Complete an apprenticeship leading to a full-time RAF career with promotion opportunities.
An opportunity to complete an apprenticeship as an RAF Chef with an OFSTED outstanding training provider. You will be working in kitchens across the UK and around the world that play a key part in the UK's defence, where you will prepare attractive menus, learn how to manage your workstation, and work in a fast-paced kitchen.
The RAF Chef training program will provide you with the required organisational, time management, communication and number skills you will require to stay calm under pressure.
You can be employed in various environments:
- In military kitchens where you will work with the industrial partner to prepare hotel standard fare and provide gastronomy dining experiences for military personnel.
- In a field kitchen providing catering support for exercises and operations worldwide.
- In an in-flight catering production kitchen producing meals for fast jet pilots, helicopter crews and large aircraft crew and passengers travelling to all corners of the globe.
With experience, you could volunteer to work in our VIP Team and cook for high-ranking officers, government ministers and even members of the Royal Family. If selected, you could compete in culinary competitions and eventually gain an invitation to represent the Royal Air Force on the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team who compete internationally against the best industry chefs in the world.
Your day-to-day tasks will vary dependent on your role, but they will include:
- Working with the strategies of our industrial partners to prepare attractive menus that meet set standards.
- Following specifications to maintain quality and control, adhering to hygiene, health and safety regulations whilst instilling a knowledge of allergens, nutrition and diets so you can cater to the diverse Royal Air Force family.
The role is varied and, after training, you could be stationed across the UK and beyond. The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the Royal Air Force. Promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection. As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest standards expected within the RAF.
About the Training
- Functional skills in maths and English (if required).
- On successful completion of the application and selection process, your apprenticeship will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
- Your specialist training will begin at the Food Services Training Wing at Worthy Down. This 14-week course will train you to maintain excellent standards of personal, food and kitchen hygiene whilst using specialist kitchen equipment to produce a variety of dishes.
- You will also undertake a 10-day Introduction to Deployed Operations with No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3 MCS) where you will be trained to set up field kitchens under canvas, this skill will enable you to provide catering support to deployed operations worldwide as well as supporting exercises both based in the UK and abroad.
About the Employer
The Royal Air Force works with our UK and international partners to watch the skies, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance in an uncertain world. We provide all personnel with a varied range of training and activities to make sure you are ready for anything. A career in the Royal Air Force will provide you with a whole host of possibilities. You will receive world class training, allowing you to learn and develop throughout your career. We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore the closing and start dates.
RAF Chef - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship employer: HOSPITALITY AMERICA, INC.
Contact Detail:
HOSPITALITY AMERICA, INC. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land RAF Chef - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Royal Air Force's values and mission. Understanding their core principles will help you align your passion for cooking with their commitment to service, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain experience in fast-paced kitchen environments. Whether through part-time jobs or volunteering, showcasing your ability to thrive under pressure will demonstrate your readiness for the RAF Chef role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former RAF chefs if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the apprenticeship process, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on culinary trends and military catering practices. Showing that you are knowledgeable about both the culinary world and the specific needs of military dining can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace RAF Chef - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the RAF Chef position. Familiarise yourself with the skills needed, such as time management, communication, and culinary expertise.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in cooking or kitchen management. Emphasise any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to work under pressure and manage a fast-paced environment.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cooking and your desire to serve in the RAF. Mention specific skills or experiences that align with the job description, and explain why you want to pursue this apprenticeship.
Prepare for the Selection Process: Be ready for potential interviews or assessments. Research common interview questions for culinary roles and practice your responses. Show enthusiasm for the role and the unique opportunities it offers within the RAF.
How to prepare for a job interview at HOSPITALITY AMERICA, INC.
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what an RAF Chef does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, such as preparing menus and maintaining hygiene standards. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight any relevant cooking or kitchen management experience you have. If you've worked in fast-paced environments before, share those experiences. Be prepared to discuss how you handle pressure and maintain quality under tight deadlines.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
The role involves working closely with others, so be ready to talk about your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in the past, especially in high-pressure situations, to achieve common goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the training process, opportunities for advancement, or the types of cuisines you might work with. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is right for you.
