Newton Abbot students get ‘Marine in 15’ in cooking masterclass with the Royal Navy
Students at Newton Abbot’s pioneering technical college were put through their paces when a Royal Marine Chef visited to lead an energetic cooking masterclass.
Year 10 and Year 12 students of South Devon University Technical College (UTC) received a lesson in healthy cooking from Colour Sergeant Mike Beaton. Founder of the popular Marine in 15 videos which have received over 13,000 views on YouTube, Mike put the students through their paces in a blood-pumping cooking masterclass in the college’s Challenge Arena.
Known as the ‘Mary Berry’ of the Royal Marine Commandos, Mike inspired students to fuel their mind and body by teaching them how to cook Crème Fraiche Chicken with Vegetables. Students learnt how to cook a healthy, hearty meal that ticked all the major food groups that recruits in the Royal Navy need to ensure they achieve peak performance.
As well as teaching the young chefs how to cook delicious, healthy meals, Mike highlighted how recruits in the Royal Navy fuel themselves using food, ensuring they are ready for combat. Students learnt that they can integrate healthy food into their own everyday lives, supporting their learning and development as they progress to the next stages of their careers.
Colour Sergeant Mike Beaton commented: “It was a pleasure to teach the young guys and girls at South Devon UTC all about healthy, hearty cooking and how we use food as fuel in the Royal Navy. I love using ‘Marine in 15’ as a platform to talk to students about the variety of options that are available in the Royal Navy. From cooking to commando, Engineer to Submariner, there’s a role for everyone in the Royal Navy and they all need to be fueled by good, healthy food.”
Mike continued: “As well as ensuring that the guys and girls achieve peak performance in whatever they do, I also encouraged them to think of cooking as a great social activity. Looking after your body and cooking up delicious recipes that friends and family can enjoy really does bring people together.”
The ‘Marine in 15’ masterclass was part of a range of activities South Devon UTC students were undertaking for Healthy Eating and Wellbeing Week.
Ian Crews, Principal at South Devon UTC, commented: “It was fantastic to get someone so energetic and enthusiastic as ‘Marine in 15’ in to talk to the students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Mike did an excellent job in educating our Year 10’s and Year 12’s about what to eat to fuel your mind and how to prepare it yourself rather than eating something out of a takeaway box.”
The Marine in 15 masterclass follows the annual Royal Navy Junior Leaders’ Field Gun Challenge that students from South Devon UTC recently participated in. Colour Sergeant Mike Beaton accompanied by Warrant Officer 1st Class Phil Cooney Royal Marines from the Education Awareness Team at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone presented the ‘Field Gunner of the Year’ Trophy to joint winners Connor Johnson and Ross Pratt. The prize, made in the UTC and incorporating a model field gun on a piece of teak from HMS Warrior donated by the Royal Navy, was awarded to the “Gunners” who showed the most courage, determination to achieve excellence, unselfish team spirit and cheerful sense of humour. It reflects the core values and ethos of the Royal Marines.
The college is currently recruiting students for the 2019/20 academic year. Young people with a flair for science and engineering due to start Year 10 or Year 12 in September 2019 are invited to the next Open Evening on Wednesday the 3rd of October 2018, 5-7pm. Alternatively, you can contact the college for more information. Call 01626 240201 or visit http://southdevonutc.org/
