'You leave the military not knowing how to cook'

Free classes for former armed services personnel who left the military without knowing how to cook have been organised.

The lessons, run by the Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, teach prospective students everything from how to boil an egg to making a three-course meal.

The 12-week course was put together by veterans at the charity who realised none of them really knew how to cook.

Among the attendees were former radio operator Hannah Bailey, who said she needed to get to grips with tech like induction hobs and air fryers, and Anthony Cross who served for nearly 15 years in the army's Cheshire Regiment.

"When you've come out [of the army] you've got to find your feet again, a lot of the stuff is done for you," he said.

"I've never learned how to cook so coming out [of the army] was a bit of a shock".

He relied on microwaved ready meals or his partner to be able to feed himself, he said.

But after attending the lessons he said he felt more confident in the kitchen and now helps his partner cook.

"She loves it, she encourages me to do this and we get to bond in the kitchen now," he added.

Ms Bailey, a member of the Royal Signals Territorial Army, said she had some experience with cooking but needed a better understanding of some of the equipment.

She said: "Coming to the course, in general, was just about getting more confidence with the equipment and being more hands on with ingredients, rather than ready-made mixes."

Geoff Harriman, chairman of Tri Services, said: "As service personnel, you are told when to eat, what to wear and what time to be there so when you come out you might not be able to do the basic stuff."

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