I am a Demi Chef de Partie and work with a team of 19 chefs within the Royal Kitchens based at Buckingham Palace. I have worked for the Royal Household for five-and-a-half years.

How did you get your job with the Royal Household?
I replied to an advertisement in one of the Scottish Newspapers for a position as a Kitchen Porter. After two years, I was promoted to Apprentice Chef, and I have just been promoted again to Demi Chef de Partie.

What did you do before joining the Royal Household?
I was working in a hotel in Scotland as a Commis Chef.

What experience and qualifications do you need to work within the Royal Kitchens? How would you advise someone looking for a job in this area?
To be a chef you need to have gained NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in catering, in addition to a good all-round knowledge of food and a passion for the industry. For more senior chef positions, previous experience gained within a five-star/premier catering establishment is definitely helpful (i.e. a five star hotel or director's dining room), involvement in fine dining, banqueting or the preparation of staff meals would also be an advantage.

What training and support are available to you?
When I was promoted to Apprentice Chef, the Royal Household supported me to complete my NVQ qualifications. I have attended college one day per week on day release for the past three years and have now completed all three levels. The other chefs in the kitchen also provide lots of on-the-job training and advice. There is always a lot to learn and the Household is committed to enabling employees to develop both personally and professionally.

What's it like working for the Royal Household?
It is very different from working in a hotel. The cooking is brilliant and the menus are changed each week, so you are always learning about new dishes. The kitchens cater for staff meals as well as for members of the Royal Family, and so the team is kept very busy. The highlight is obviously when we cater for State Banquets and other official entertaining. The standards are very high and the pressure is on to make sure everything is 110%, but I get a real buzz out of it.

What is the best thing about your job?
I get to travel to other Royal residences throughout the UK, such as Balmoral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. They are really great places to work and the scenery is beautiful. I would also say the great people I work with and that I get to meet in general, and the fantastic friends I have made over the years. I live in accommodation at the Palace and there is a real sense of community amongst the staff.

What opportunities do you get that you would not get elsewhere?
Having the opportunity to travel throughout the country cooking for the Royal Family is a great honour. I also really appreciate the chance to try and prepare new foods every day, and to benefit from working with a team of very experienced colleagues.