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Students turn army ration into lavish meal

South Tyneside College students recently took up the challenge to turn basic army rations into a three-course-meal in just 30 minutes.

The 35 catering students set up a field kitchen in the college grounds as part of a special event to give them a taste of army life. Army representatives were on hand to help the students transform ten-man basic ration packs into a starter, a main course and a sweet.

The ration packs, which are the same as those used by professional army chefs, include a range of dried and tinned ingredients such as egg powder, dried fruit, tins of salmon, mashed potato mix and tinned vegetables.

The students created dishes such as vegetable soup, tomato soup, salmon fishcakes, spaghetti bolognaise, curry, beef casserole and steamed pudding and custard.

Army Warrant Officer, Roy Griffin, said: “The students were great and really used their imagination and initiative to turn basic ingredients into tasty and nutritious meals. I’ve only ever seen salmon fishcakes created once before, so it just shows how hard the students worked to come up with interesting and unique menu options.”

Kerry Oliver, South Tyneside College lecturer and organiser of the event, said: “As well as being great fun and a real challenge, these events give our students an invaluable insight into army life. “Many of our students have gone on to a career in the Royal Logistics Corps and this type of activity can help them to decide if it’s the job for them.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .