For Air Force chefs like Leading Aircraftwoman Po-Yu Chen, designing a menu, selecting ingredients and then using magic to turn them into something delicious is their passion.
Leading Aircraftwoman Chen works at 23 Squadron in Amberley and said having a positive mindset, optimism and passion are the only skills you need to become a chef, as everyone is trained on the job at HMAS Cerberus.
“You will learn all basic cookery skills and knowledge related to catering,” Leading Aircraftwoman Chen said.
“However, being enthusiastic about your work is also essential. You will feel very supported having qualified people on hand to ask questions if you are in doubt.”
As an Air Force chef, no day is ever the same and being an early riser helps especially when cooking for 400-500 people.
Leading Aircraftwoman Chen said waking up super early is just part of the job she enjoys so much.
“I love that I get to design menu ideas and cook, garnish all the food and display them on the servery,” she said.
“The most enjoyable moment for me is to see the joy on customers’ faces while serving them.”
One of the highlights of Leading Aircraftwoman Chen’s career so far was cooking for up to 1000 people on Exercise Talisman Sabre as part of the 23 Squadron catering team.
“It was fun but it was also high pressure having to serve that many people in one day, but I was very grateful to have a good management team, colleagues and bosses to make my day enjoyable,” she said.
Leading Aircraftwoman Chen had these words of advice for anyone considering a career change.
“Remember everything in life happens for a reason; good days tell you that life is beautiful and bad days tell you there is more to learn from life,” she said.
“Good people give you valuable memories and bad people give you valuable lessons, so believe everything happens for a reason.”
23 Squadron in Amberley is part of Combat Support Group and includes logistics, security, physical training instructors, mechanical equipment operations and maintenance section, fire, catering, movements, supply and personnel capability.
