Page 38 - QDG Vol. 9 No. 2 CREST

36 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Catering Department
2021 has been and exciting albeit chal- lenging year for the catering department, filled with uncertainty from one day to the next with the pandemic and its ever- changing rules regarding feeding and functions. However, the department were kept busy in other ways especially with ongoing Brigade trawls happening consistently throughout the year.
Sgt Hodgson and LCpl Watson started the year already deployed on OP CABRIT with B Sqn, fulfilling all the feeding requirements which was met with high praise from all those in attendance. We then said goodbye to the Unit Catering Manager, SSgt Neil McDermont, on what was a successful assignment. He left us on promotion to WO2, starting his new challenge with The Rifles in Bulford.
The next main focus was to get the Catering Department ready for the upcoming LSA&I, which was overcome with great success. Then came the preparations for the delayed Waterloo celebrations. The Catering Department were thrilled with finally being able to showcase their skills and deliver a high- class function, and play their part in important Regimental traditions. Unfortu- nately, due to reasons beyond our control and after much preparation the celebra- tions were cancelled the day before they were due to take place.
After summer leave, we had an oppor- tunity to again showcase our skills in what was a successful Officers’ Mess Summer Ball; which was met with high praise with
all those in attendance. Cpl Gurung and Pte Wanjiku then had the pleasure of a 6 week-long trawl to Linton on Ouse to assist in the busy feeding of an Quarantine Facility (QFAC).
Then came the 6 week long exercise EX GAO TEMPEST to oversee and supply manpower to 3
busy kitchens in STANTA, helping to get the Regiment ready for deployment to OP NEWCOMBE. Sgt Dunn, Cpl Akerman, Cpl Gurung, LCpl Tice and Pte Wanjiku were joined by some inter- esting characters from 1 PWRR in what was another successful campaign.
Worthy of note, Pte Wanjiku would then complete his Production Chef Apprenticeship. He achieved an outstanding distinction grade and as a reward received a brand chef’s knifes from the Army
The Catering department were thrilled with finally being able
to showcase their skills and deliver a high- class function
Almost as good as pie in a bun
Capt Owen’s lunch will be served in the anteroom
We then came towards the final months of the year. The newly joined Pte Papworth would be sent on his first trawl to Linton on Ouse (QFAC). He was shortly followed out of the door by Cpl Akerman deploying to Germany on EX STEADFEAST LEDA, and Sgt Hodgson unexpectedly getting sent to Gibraltar with only a day’s notice!
We would like to welcome the following into the department: LCpl Tice posted in from St Athan, and Ptes Wanjiku and Papworth posted in straight from training. We said goodbye to some members on their well earned promotions: SSgt Neil McDermont posted to 2 Rifles and LCpl Gitau posted to Sennybridge with the Signals. Also congratulations to LCpl Watson on his promotion from Pte, who has chosen to stay on with the QDG for his next assignment.
new set of
School of Catering.
SD