Royal Navy chefs and stewards are preparing at HMS Raleigh for the Armed Forces version of MasterChef, which will be held next week.

Members of the Naval Service Culinary Arts Team (NSCAT) are practising the dishes they hope will wow the judges at this year’s Exercise Joint Caterer, using the facilities at the Defence Maritime Logistics School.

The annual tri-Service culinary challenge will see the Royal Navy pit their skills against their opposite numbers in the Army and RAF, in a range of individual and team categories.

The NSCAT will once again be joined by representatives from the US Navy and this year’s team also includes seven from the Royal Navy’s new Aircraft Carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Now in its 17th year, Joint Caterer runs from October 10 to 12 at the Defence Capability Centre, Shrivenham.

The competition is aimed at developing culinary skills as well as building team spirit.

Awards are given according to creativity, workmanship, composition and presentation – including taste.