Page 6 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 54

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Letters to the Editor from

Around the Regions continued

Dear Editor, dragged the offer and dining experience
Having been in the into the 21st century. There are of course
position of CEG differences of opinion, as you would
Head of Trade for just expect from such a large organisation,
over a year now, and not everybody is willing to embrace
having be given ample PAYD but, for the trade, we are now
breathing space by the realising the benefits and opportunities
ACC Association, I it has to offer. As each new generation
think it is a timely WO1 (Cdr) S Griffiths of contracts improves, and we continue
opportunity to share with your readers to have a seat at the table enabling us
a view from within the trade; Wally the opportunity to engineer the best 1UKXX chefs on the training area in Archers Post in
Kenya: Ex ASKARI STORM
Vincent has been particularly patient, for possible environment for our chefs, I am
which I am incredibly grateful. sure we will continue to reap the rewards production during operations and train-
As your readers are no doubt be from working in a civilian environment. ing activities, and we still have a critical
aware some time ago now the MoD role to play in building and maintain
contracted out the food service provision fighting power in the Army. As has been
within barracks, stations and camps the highlighted recently with our support to
length and breadth of the UK. We are the Royal Navy and the ever-increasing
currently in a phase of contracts called number of active operations around the
HESTIA which, in my opinion, for the world, we are still a highly respected
trade, are light years ahead of where we trade, always in demand and at the fore-
started when Pay as You Dine (PAYD) front of Defence activities. This is built
was rolled out all those years ago. That on reputation we inherited from you the
said I think it would be fair to say the readers, former members of the trade,
transformation to PAYD created a long Army Catering Corps or Royal Logistic
lasting period of mourning within the Corps alike. It is a reputation we fiercely
trade at the loss of our own kitchens and defend and continue to build upon for
DMR accounts; after all it was a radical future generations. This is something I
and fundamental change to the way we am eternally grateful to our forebears
3 CDO BDE chefs
did our business as chefs. In addition for, soldiers and officers, no matter how
to this we lost St Omer Barracks, our However, contracts do not define long you served, you laid the foundations
school of excellence and home for so how we as a trade conduct our for where we are now. The trade might
many years, moving to Worthy Down, business, they are merely supporting us not be something you recognise at first
endured a long and protracted period of to build a better future for our chefs. We glance but scratch the surface and you
redundancies and restructuring across now have a solid foundation of facility will find a passionate, capable, trusted
the service under Army 2020. All com- management, contract management and and slightly qwerky group of chefs who
bined there was a great sense of upheaval, assurance skills to build upon which, revel in a highly charged and rewarding
and uncertainty about the future. with the help of the Army Catering environment – the kitchen.
Thankfully today things are starting Training Trust, we are developing
To you, I salute.
to settle down again allowing trade per- several civilian qualifications to enhance
sonnel to refocus our attention on the the offer to our soldiers. Our primary Griff
primary capability output; supporting focus will always be three square meals WO1 (Conductor) Simon Griffiths
the Army’s mission. PAYD goes from each day, be it in a capacity of contract Command Catering Warrant Officer
strength to strength and has arguably assurance in barracks, or hands on Army Headquarters

Food Service Training Wing (Land), support event at LADbible event with James Cochran Army chefs are currently on an 18 month detachment
Chelsea Hospital (Great British Menu) with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH

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