What's in it for me? Sharine's Apprenticeship story

Rank: Private

Role: Chef Class Two

Corps: Royal Logistic Corps

Place: Windsor, Greater London

Hobbies/Networks: I’m a member of The British Army’s Multi-Cultural Network (AMCN)

Which apprenticeship are you currently doing / have you done?

I have completed the Level 2 Production Chef apprenticeship.

Can you tell us about the skills, knowledge and experiences that you got by doing your apprenticeship?

The Army Production Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship was a brilliant way to help me further develop and sharpen the necessary skills and knowledge I needed for my role as a chef. I was privileged enough to receive hands-on experience. During my apprenticeship, I was able to receive extensive practical training in a real kitchen environment.

The experience and knowledge I gained were irreplaceable, which helped me to apply theoretical knowledge and hone my culinary skills under the supervision of my mentors.

The Skill development was mega. I was able to further enhance a variety of culinary techniques, from basic knife skills to advance cooking techniques. This helped me to build a strong foundation and to widen my culinary repertoire which enabled me to become a more versatile Production Chef. I was given many opportunities to showcase and further develop my culinary skills while on exercise and cooking in the kitchen in the different messes.

Upon doing my apprenticeships, I realised it’s not only about cooking but also learning about the different equipment, and tools, completing paperwork and considering the allergens. When you are in the kitchen working this is where everything that was taught at the school and the information in the red folder comes to life. “That’s the bigger picture”. No two days are the same, some days are busier than others. Despite all this, I was quickly able to adapt to whatever challenges or tasks the day through at me. Understanding the kitchen dynamics was a one-of-a-kind experience which included time management, teamwork, and effective communication skills. I got to learn and emphasise more the importance of working together as a team and enhancing my communication skills in a busy and fast-paced kitchen.

Whether working in the kitchen or on exercise it was very crucial to understand how to work with other team members to maintain a productive kitchen. It was able to quickly develop strategies to help with time management especially when the walking menu is buzzing. Working with the help of other team members made cheffing a bit easier as everyone has different ways of doing things and it was easy for me to try out the method I preferred.

What was the highlight of your apprenticeship experience?

The key moments and significant achievements, which have had a lasting impact on my development as a chef, are:

• Creating my signature cakes on EX HARAKA STORM and in the Sgt Mess

• Being able to provide meals on time both on exercise when catering for 800 troops and in the kitchen especially when it gets quite demanding.

• Expanding my culinary horizon by experimenting with exercise creating new dishes and trying out my new cake recipes

Each of these experiences played a significant role towards growth and development where I was able to get a distinction in my End-point Assessment (EPA) and win the apprenticeship award, making my apprenticeship a defining chapter.

The apprenticeship has helped equip me with advanced culinary skills and techniques, which will make me more competitive and marketable in the culinary world. The British Army provides a unique culinary experience because we can adapt and work in any environment and we can be creative by using any ration to create dishes. You get the chance to be creative on exercise which is an added booster for chefs who are very passionate about their trade.

We gain first hand experience in leadership and management as well as working as a team. Not only will leading a kitchen team in the Army develops you in various ways but you will also have a strong leadership and management background. In a culinary setting, working in a diverse and high-pressure environment teaches valuable teamwork and communication skills and the level of adaptability and resilience is top tier. Another skill I was able to develop further during my apprenticeship was the ability to adapt to challenging conditions and solve problems effectively and efficiently.

The experience and knowledge I gained during my apprenticeship will continue to boost my confidence and self-belief, which will better prepare me to take on new challenges and responsibilities. During my apprenticeship, it helped me focus on personal development. I was disciplined in ensuring that I was ready for my EPA, with work ethic and attention to detail just some of the skills I could further develop during my training period. And those skills will be valuable everywhere I go.