The RAF Chef training program will provide you with the required organisational, time management, communication and number skills you require to stay calm under pressure. You can be employed in various environments; In Military Messes where you will work with the industrial partner to prepare hotel standard fare and provide gastronomy dining experiences
for Military personnel, In a Field kitchen providing catering support for Exercises and Operations worldwide or in an In-Flight Catering production kitchen producing meals for fast jet pilots, helicopter crews and large aircraft crew and passengers travelling to all corners of the globe.
With experience, you could volunteer to work in our VIP Team and cook for high ranking Officers, Government Ministers and even members of the Royal Family. If selected, you could compete in
culinary competitions and eventually gain an invitation to represent the Royal Air Force on the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team who compete internationally against the best industry Chefs in the world. Your day-to-day tasks will vary dependent on your role, but they will include; working with the strategies of our Industrial Partners to prepare attractive menus that meet set standards, following specifications to maintain quality and control, adhering to hygiene,
health and safety regulations whilst instilling a knowledge of allergens, nutrition and diets so you can cater to the diverse Royal Air Force family.
Logistics Chef CURRENTLY RECRUITING
As a chef in the RAF, you will have a varied role, preparing food at five-star themed banquets one day and cooking in the field the next.
Full-time regular Spare time reserve
Pay During First Six Months £16,800+ + Benefits
Pay Until Completion Of Phase Two Training* £21,400+ + Benefits
DAY RATE STARTS AT: £42.29 + Benefits
Is this for you?
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be aged 16 – 47 (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- No formal qualifications required
- For qualified entry please see requirements below
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
- Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:
- Being creative
- Helping people
- Analysis and maths
Apprenticeships available
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be aged 18-54 Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis
- No formal qualifications required
- If a qualified Chef, have a NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Food Preparation and Cooking; and Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (Professional Cookery) or any other appropriate recognised civilian qualification
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth Citizen since birth
- Commit 27 days per year
- Pass a General Fitness Test
GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:
- Being creative
- Helping people
Locations
501 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire
502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim
504 Sqn, RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire
505 Sqn, RAF St Mawgan, Newquay
605 Sqn, RAF Cosford, Shropshire
606 Sqn, RAF Benson, Oxon
607 Sqn, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire
611 Sqn, RAF Woodvale, Merseyside
614 Sqn, Cardiff,
4626 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (Ex-Regular only)
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare meals in RAF messes
- Order, store and account for food
- Help plan menus for everyday meals and VIP occasions
- Prepare in-flight meals for cabin crew and passengers

The RAF Chef training program will provide you with the required organisational, time management, communication and number skills you require to stay calm under pressure. You can be employed in various environments; In Military Messes where you will work with the industrial partner to prepare hotel standard fare and provide gastronomy dining experiences
for Military personnel, In a Field kitchen providing catering support for Exercises and Operations worldwide or in an In-Flight Catering production kitchen producing meals for fast jet pilots, helicopter crews and large aircraft crew and passengers travelling to all corners of the globe.
With experience, you could volunteer to work in our VIP Team and cook for high ranking Officers, Government Ministers and even members of the Royal Family. If selected, you could compete in culinary competitions and eventually gain an invitation to represent the Royal Air Force on the Combined Services Culinary Arts Team who compete internationally against the best industry Chefs in the world. Your day-to-day tasks will vary dependent on your role, but they will include; working with the strategies of our Industrial Partners to prepare attractive menus that meet set standards, following specifications to maintain quality and control, adhering to hygiene, health and safety regulations whilst instilling a knowledge of allergens, nutrition and diets so you can cater to the diverse Royal Air Force family.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
- Rent from £75p/m
- Free gym
- Subsidised food
- Health care
- World travel
- 6 weeks holiday
WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?
The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.
You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.
- Training
- Free gym
- Subsidised food
- Paid pension
- Paid holiday
TRAINING AND CAREER
TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE
Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
If you are joining with little or no catering experience, you will need to complete specialist training at the Food Services Training Wing at Worthy Down. This 14-week course will train you to maintain excellent standards of personal, food and kitchen hygiene whilst using specialist
kitchen equipment to produce a variety of dishes. You will also undertake a 10-day Introduction to Deployed Operations with No 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3 MCS) where you will be trained to set up field kitchens under canvas, this skill will enable you to provide catering support to deployed operations worldwide as well as supporting exercises both based in the UK and abroad.
If you have the relevant qualifications and experience in professional cookery you will be offered the opportunity to undertake a diagnostic test at Food Services Training Wing at Worthy Down prior attestation. Applicants are required to achieve a minimum 80% pass in both the Theory and Practical elements to ensure eligibility for accelerated promotion thereafter.
Successful applicants (after completion of BRTC) will automatically progress to the last 4 weeks of the chef course where they will complete familiarisation training and the 10-day introduction to Deployed Operations with 3 MCS.
TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE
INITIAL TRAINING
Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15-day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
Unqualified Chef: If you are joining with little or no catering experience, you will complete specialist training at the Catering Training Squadron at Worthy Down. This course will give you an overview of catering in the RAF and the basic craft skills required of a chef. You will also undertake the Deployed Skills Course at 3 MC Squadron based at RAF Wittering. The professional training phase will be delivered over 2 training years. After successful completion of year 1 and your Trade Ability Tests you will be promoted to Leading Aircraftsman where you will be classed as interoperable and will be able to deploy on UK based exercises. After successful completion of year 2, you will be promoted to Senior Aircraftsman.
Qualified Chef: You may be eligible for fast-track promotion if you already have acceptable academic catering qualifications and suitable catering experience in the hospitality industry or previous military catering experience. Before you join your qualifications will be considered, and if you have the relevant qualifications and experience you will complete a 2-day diagnostic test. If you achieve a pass rate of 80% or higher on all practical and theory tests you will qualify for promotion to Senior Aircraftsman. Following this you will complete the Deployed Skills Course.
Commitment and location
You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.
Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.
You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status). Employment restrictions may be imposed within the Logistics Branch and Trades in relation to the rapid and effective deployability of RAF personnel to countries that apply travel restrictions to non-UK personnel. Non-British personnel applying for these fields of employment are required to certify that they have been advised of the nationality-imposed employment limitations and the consequences of not naturalizing as a British citizen.
Be aged 16–47 (Must attest before 48th birthday).
*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).
Be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status). Employment restrictions may be imposed within the Logistics Branch and Trades in relation to the rapid and effective deployability of RAF personnel to countries that apply travel restrictions to non-UK personnel. Non-British personnel applying for these fields of employment are required to certify that they have been advised of the nationality-imposed employment limitations and the consequences of not naturalizing as a British citizen.
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
- 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton on day one of your initial training. This consists of the following:
- Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
MALES - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 11.39 | 9.03 | 20 | 35 |
17-29 | 11.11 | 9.10 | 20 | 35 |
30-34 | 11.36 | 9.04 | 19 | 32 |
35-39 | 12 | 8.09 | 18 | 29 |
40-44 | 12.26 | 8.03 | 17 | 26 |
45-47 | 12.54 | 7.07 | 16 | 23 |
FEMALES - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 13.54 | 6.07 | 10 | 32 |
17-29 | 13.23 | 7.02 | 10 | 32 |
30-34 | 13.47 | 6.08 | 9 | 29 |
35-39 | 14.13 | 6.04 | 8 | 26 |
40-44 | 14.48 | 5.08 | 7 | 23 |
45-47 | 15.19 | 5.04 | 6 | 20 |
You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:
RAF MSFT: Intro
RAF MSFT: Bleep Test
You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:
There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:
- Body Mass Index requirements:
Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
18 + | 18 | 28 | 32 | 30 |
16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
- Calculate your BMI now, click here.
- Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.
DURING YOUR APPLICATION:
The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
YOU MUST:
- Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
- Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
- Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
- Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
- Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
- Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
- Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted - Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
- Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt
Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
- 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
How fit you need to be to pass the test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
MALES - 100% pass rates: | |||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 11.39 | 20 | 35 |
17-29 | 11.11 | 20 | 35 |
30-34 | 11.36 | 19 | 32 |
35-39 | 12 | 18 | 29 |
40-44 | 12.26 | 17 | 26 |
45-47 | 12.54 | 16 | 23 |
FEMALES - 100% pass rates: | |||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 13.54 | 10 | 32 |
17-29 | 13.23 | 10 | 32 |
30-34 | 13.47 | 9 | 29 |
35-39 | 14.13 | 8 | 26 |
40-44 | 14.48 | 7 | 23 |
45-47 | 15.19 | 6 | 20 |
You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:
There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:
- Body Mass Index requirements:
Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
18 + | 18 | 28 | 32 | 30 |
16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
- Calculate your BMI now, click here.
- Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.
DURING YOUR APPLICATION:
The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
YOU MUST:
- Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
- Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
- Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
- Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
- Are waiting to appear in court, or have spent or unspent convictions that may be excluded from certain roles
- Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
- Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted - Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
- Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt
Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.