A wet and stormy day took on whirlwind characteristics last month, as personnel at the Defence Academy enjoyed a visit from the Royal Navy Engagement Awareness Team (RM-EAT).
Led by Colour Sergeant Mike Beaton MBE, and assisted by Marine Tate Reid, 30 attendees from across the site were introduced to the RM-EAT programme and given an overview of CSgt Beaton’s work and 37-year career. This was delivered in tandem with a dynamic cooking demonstration, before attendees were invited to team up with a partner to create their own healthy, stir-fry lunch.
RM-EAT was launched by CSgt Beaton 10 years ago to promote the use of food and cooking to educate. Engaging with audiences on the importance of physical activity, food, and nutrition, as well as team building, he has worked with hundreds of educational establishments over the past decade, putting him in front of an estimated 15,000-16,000 students each year.
In addition, he also works with professional sports bodies including Scottish Rugby, England Women’s Rugby, British Judo and British Hockey. Earlier this year he was invited to 10 Downing Street as part of an initiative called ‘Lessons at 10’, a programme co-ordinated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty. The programme aims to inspire primary school children to ‘be what you want to be.’ CSgt Beaton has also received over eight million views on YouTube, after launching himself as ‘The Commando Chef’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring he was still able to share his message with audiences.
After attending the start of the workshop, Deputy Commandant of the Defence Academy, Commodore Matt Solly said:
“In their visit to the Defence Academy today, CSgt Beaton and Mne Reid showcased precisely how the military needs to engage with the public.”
“They were utterly brilliant, capturing the interest and imagination of a fairly senior audience with ease, while imparting some hugely effective messaging – in this instance about healthy eating and life as a Royal Marine.”
The event was co-ordinated by the Defence Academy Comms team as an informal ‘conversation starter’ to encourage inter-departmental communication between individuals.
Speaking after the event, CSgt Beaton said:
“RM-EAT is a unique way of engagement. 10 years ago, I saw an opportunity to educate young people through food and thought: “what a way to get through to them.” But today has also been cracking. Explaining what I do, putting rank to one side for a bit, working with food, eating, and chatting. It has been a fantastic day.”