COOKING and shooting skills were under scrutiny when teams of trainee caterers competed against miltary counterparts.

The second Exercise Eagle’s Aga 10 Field catering and military skills competition took place at the Friday Woods Training Area, in Colchester.

Military teams from all the units of 16 Air Assault Brigade were tested over two days in military skills, physical fitness and field catering. Trainee chefs joined in on the final day to compete in the field catering and orienteering phases of the competition.

All the units competing from 16 Air Assault Brigade will deploy to Afghanistan later this year.

The competition gave an insight into the variety of tasks an Army chef is expected to fulfil, ranging from helping to defend their forward operating bases, to cooking for troops using limited rations in adverse conditions.

The event was organised by 16 Air Assault Brigade’s senior chef, Warrant Officer Class One David Chammings.

The military and college teams had to produce a three-course meal using a field kitchen and the kind of rations sent to the troops in Afghanistan.

As well as the cooking challenge, the military teams competed in a series of logistics exercises, including casualty scenarios.

Prizes for the best team were awarded by the sponsor, Sodexho, which provides food services to Colchester Garrison.