Defence News
Army enlists Facebook in live chef chat
09 July 2010
 |
| Related media |
After the success of the recent MasterChef episode filmed at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, the Australian Army enlisted Facebook to help give an insight into what it's really like cooking for our troops.
In the episode, nine contestants were put through a gruelling two-hour bush trek then charged to cook for 100 hungry soldiers that had been on course for three weeks.
Two cooks and a steward from 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), Holsworthy Barracks jumped onto Facebook for an hour-and-a-half live discussion to answer questions about their role in the Australian Army.
The questions ranged from – what was the largest number of troops they were tasked to cook for at one time; what the menus were like; to whether the meatballs cooked on MasterChef really tasted as good as they looked.
Those answers by the way were: 800 troops; "from an army cook perspective they were great" and Courtney’s meatballs got rave reviews.
One of the participants, Jess Fleming asked: "If I went to ADFA and completed officer training, would I still be able to cook or is it all supervisory roles?"
This was just one example of where direct contact with someone in the field, with real experience, proved beneficial.
"If you really love cooking and hands on experience, you're best bet is to pursue a cook or steward role. Thanks for the great question," AustralianArmy explained.
The exercise also proved valuable for recruitment with many of the online participants querying opportunities and wanting to know how they could sign up.
There were many questions about – what the basic training was like; where they may be deployed; or whether they would see any action, with many people really interested to know what a day in the life of a cook with the Australian Army was really like.
Participants in the live chat were keen to find out more about the role that the Army cooks would play day-to-day, from the minute training began at Kapooka to the possibility of deployment. And our Army experts were able to provide the answers.
"First up it's basic training - all Army orientated - basic soldiering skills, first aid, and teamwork. This is done at Kapooka (near Wagga). After that it's off to HMAS Cerberus for the tri service school of catering for 19 weeks where you'll get your Defence and Civilian quals in Commercial Cookery. From there - a couple of weeks at Latchford Barracks (near Albury) where you'll learn how to put your skills to use in a field environment."
The response to the live chat was overwhelming and the guys were kept busy answering questions right up until the hour-and-a-half was up.
"Congrats to the Aus Army for once again making yourselves available and accessible to the greater public audience. This engagement is invaluable to many," one participant wrote on the discussion wall.
"Thanks to the 3 guys who chatted to us! They were a great help!" another post read.