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Navy chef Joe lifts UK military’s top catering award
19 May 2025
For the second consecutive year a Royal Navy chef has lifted the title of Armed Forces Caterer of the Year.
Petty Officer (Catering Services) Joe Whitlock excelled in war and peace, in both chef whites and action overalls, serving high-quality meals to all aboard HMS Diamond from the prime minister to the youngest able seaman.
He did so against the most challenging of backdrops – gapping, sudden changes in the ship’s programme, and especially the strain of days on end under threat of missile attack.
The 38-year-old from Gosport tackled every challenge head-on from the moment he joined the Portsmouth-based destroyer.
The senior rating found the galley on the ship was in a very poor state when he arrived – and not fit to support 200 shipmates on an operational warship.
Not only did he set about turning that on its head, but he radically changed Diamond’s menu improving the quality and variety of the 600 or so meals provided daily.
His efforts proved particularly timely for Diamond acted as guardship for the King’s Coronation in May 2024 – and was heavily in demand for a series of high-profile events, showcasing Britain at its best to the world, including a reception hosted by the First Sea Lord and attended by 250 dignitaries with a sophisticated menu based around climate, communities and culture.
The destroyer then knuckled down to her day job as guardian of the Fleet against air attack, starting with Operation Firedrake, a workout for the UK Carrier Strike Group and allies operating in the North Sea region.
In addition to his catering duties, Joe performed a secondary role as one of Diamond’s damage control instructors, adapting to and overcoming crew shortages which left the ship without two in five trainers.
The exercise was observed by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who spent the night onboard – the first premier to do so since 1957 – and ended his stay by helping serve breakfast to the ship’s company.
Just weeks later, the ship was ordered to the Red Sea where Houthi rebels were threatening passing shipping with drones and missiles.
Joe was called on to ensure both the galley and his department were ready for the mission, first through a large-scale and complex store ship before Diamond departed, then helping to ensure an inexperienced ship’s company were ready for the potential hazards to come through extensive damage control training.
It’s recognition that means so much to me after 20 years dedicated to a Service and Branch I am passionate about – particularly during the past two years, which have been the most challenging of my career.
In her six months in theatre, the ship downed nine drones and a missile – including one action where she neutralised more aerial threats in a single day than any other Royal Navy warship in recent times.
Whether under fire or patrolling in a high-threat area, the galley remained operational 24/7 providing four meals a day.
Aside from ‘action messing’ – meals quick to cook and eat to sustain the crew (often pasta dishes, but cheeseburgers and chips proved popular) – Joe was determined to serve a rich, varied menu to his shipmates through ‘fan favourites’: curry nights, steak on Saturdays, fish and chips on Fridays as much as circumstances allowed.
All of which led Joe, who’s now serving at the RN Leadership Academy at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, first to being named the Navy’s top caterer of the year – he was cited for “demonstrating innovation and determination throughout” – and then, following PO Cat Taylor’s triumph 12 months ago, the best across the three Services.
Joe said it was an “honour and a privilege” to receive the award.
“It’s recognition that means so much to me after 20 years dedicated to a Service and Branch I am passionate about – particularly during the past two years, which have been the most challenging of my career,” he added.
“These challenges and adversities tested not only me but my family, whose support has been unwavering.
“Receiving this award at the most prestigious event in our trade surrounded by truly inspirational people from across the profession has been the highlight of my career and it’s a great feeling knowing your hard work and dedication is recognised and celebrated by the Service.’’
‘Throughout these testing times I was surrounded by a department whose collective resilience, professionalism and support helped not only achieve our objectives but excel beyond all expectations.’’