College students create army rations

35 catering students set up a field kitchen in the college grounds to give them a taste of army life. Army representatives were on hand to help the students to transform 10-man basic ration packs into courses of a starter, main course and a sweet. The ration packs 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. Some of the meals dished up by the students were: vegetable soup tomato soup, salmon fishcakes, curry, beef casserole and steamed pudding and custard. Kerry Oliver, South Tyneside College lecturer and organiser of the event, commented: "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." Weblink: www.stc.ac.uk