TRAINEE Navy chef Michael Forty cooked up a seasonal treat in the lead up to Pancake Day on Tuesday this week during his training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall.

Forest of Dean Able Rate (AB) Michael Forty joined the Royal Navy last September and completed his initial naval training in November.

He is now part way through his 26-week basic chef course at the Defence Maritime Logistics School which is also based within HMS Raleigh. He was among a class of 12 trainee chefs who were taught the art of pancake making by their instructor, Leading Chef Clare Broadbent.

The 18-year-old is a former pupil of Lydney School and worked as a waiter before embarking on his Naval career. By joining the service he is following in the footsteps of his mother, Joanne Overton, who was a weapons analyst in the Royal Navy.

Michael said: "It has always been in the back of my mind to join the Royal Navy and when I looked into it more it became more appealing," he said.

"I've enjoyed all my training so far, especially the cooking because that's what I joined up to do. My plan is to stay in the Royal Navy as long as I can and reach the rank of at least Chief Petty Officer. I want to keep developing my cookery skills so when I do have to leave I can go straight into a civilian cookery job.

"This is the first time I've made pancakes. They are not particularly hard to make. You just need to make sure you have a hot pan. The best accompaniment for me is chocolate."

Michael's current course is teaching him how to cook tasty meals for hundreds of people as well as fine dining cuisine. He is also learning about food hygiene, health and safety, catering accountancy and stock control.

Leading Chef Broadbent said: "During training we teach the trainees the basic culinary skills and techniques they require for when they join their first ship or submarine. At sea we follow tradition and most ships will cook pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.

"It really contributes to the morale on board especially if the ship is deployed. Depending on the class of ship, the chefs could be making between 500 to 600 pancakes, so it's important the trainees learn how to do this during their course."

The Defence Maritime Logistics School is part of the tri-Service Defence College of Logistics and Personnel Administration. Within its facilities at HMS Raleigh the school offers a range of professional training to members of the Royal Navy, Royal Navy Reserve, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Personnel.