Local food and drink will be put through its paces as former Army chef Calvin Watson is appointed to the role of Development Chef in the TASTE kitchen at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury.
Calvin, 40, will be bringing his military precision and flare to the table at the TASTE kitchen café in Shrewsbury following a 24 year Army career which has taken him all over the world.
Calvin, who lives in Shrewsbury, will be creating delicious menus in the TASTE kitchen café using only the best local food and drink as well as delivering a series of themed demonstrations and workshops.
Calvin brings a wealth of experience with him having achieved the highest rank in his field as Regimental Catering Warrant Officer Class 2. He has served in 14 countries including six tours during times of conflict in Northern Ireland and Bosnia and was also presented with the Combined Services Senior Chef of the Year Award.
As well as keeping soldiers fed Calvin has also cooked for Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and a number of politicians and dignitaries across the world.
For his service to the Army Calvin received the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of good, faithful, valuable and meritorious service which he was granted as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list last year.
“I’m really looking forward to working with local food and drink - helping producers develop their products and also adding my own influence to the already exceptionally high standards of the TASTE kitchen. I have always enjoyed training chefs so I’ll be in my element when we take on another apprentice,” said Calvin.
The TASTE kitchen at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre is open Monday to Saturday to businesses and the general public. For more information call 01743 452818.
