Role details What you'll do
As a Chef in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), you'll be part of the team that provides healthy and nutritious meals for your ship's company.
Your hard work is what keeps them going, and vital operations on track.
The RFA is responsible for making sure the Royal Navy has everything it needs to continue protecting our nation's interests all over the world.
So, as you develop your cookery skills, you'll make an increasingly important contribution to a truly global effort, whether you're getting breakfast out on time, or catering for a unit of Royal Marines about to deploy.
Your role Continue your professional cookery career by leading a team and creating varied menus for the entire crew.
Outside of the galley, you'll have crucial duties to perform as part of the ship's company, including firefighting, first aid, and being a member of the damage control team.
Unlike most civilian chef roles, you'll have real responsibility from the day you start, working in challenging environments all over the world.
It's your job to make the ship feel like a home from home for your crewmates.
Many of them will be at sea for months at a time and will look forward to the food you cook, whether it's Friday Fish, or dinner for a social event.
Pay & benefits A starting salary of £28,000 to £39,000 experience dependant Earned Voyage Leave (EVL) of 21 days for every month spent on board ship Membership of a Civil Service Pension Scheme World-class training Potential to travel the world Skills for life Qualifications you'll gain Fully funded Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) certification portfolio The ability to conduct a range of catering activities across the full spectrum of the Galley Skills you'll develop Training will be a constant feature of your time with us, as you receive world-class development packages Eligibility Aged at least 17 years 6 months to apply, and 18 years to commence employment.
There is no upper age limit Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery, or equivalent (MNTB Ship's Cook CoC / City & Guilds etc) Level 2 or higher Certificate in Food Safety or equivalent Existing qualifications and experience in a professional catering environment Applications with supervisory experience are highly desirable Must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen who has lived in the UK continuously for the 5 years prior to applying, or a dual national Need to have confidence with jumping into water and the ability to wade whilst wearing a life jacket Skills & Interests A passion for cooking Drive and enthusiasm Enjoy working as part of a team A sense of adventure Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Step 1
Submit an application
Once you've requested your application and provided us with some basic information, you'll receive a link to the online application form
Step 2
Confirm eligibility
You will be asked to send us copies of your certification
Step 3
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
If you're eligible you'll be invited to take the DAA.
You'll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.You can practise the DAA
Step 4
Interview
If you are successful at interview, you will be offered a contract