Cooks mix it with computers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 439, 9 June 1992, Page 7

Cooks mix it with computers

BY

JO

HOWIE

Army cooking is being cqmputerised, with a new course for the Waiouru Catering School being run last month on the new "Catering Feedback Computer System". Six Linton catering -staff on the course are learning about the "Feedback Computer System". After a three year trial in Waiouru it has been decided the army will integrate all kitchens with this system. The trial units in Waiouru were Army Training (ATG) Support Units with W02 Ian Shaw, and the Catering Wing with W02 Wayne Paul. It was these two Warrant Officers who developed the training package for the course. It will take about two years to train all staff as there is a waiting list of 82 personnel to go on this course. Lt Barbara Smith said the Feedback System is a catering management system for all catering needs within the army. It incorporates a cost system, supply system, stocktake system, menu planning, ingredient listing, ability to install menus and the system can accommodate overheads such as wages, power and water costs. W02 Paul said it will replace the manual system and will make kitchen managers more accountable and their managerial role more important. He said the system is very userfriendly and is widely used in Europe. He said he believes there are no other major catering establishments in New Zealand using the Feedback System but some have registered an interest. The aim is for each kitchen to have a satel-

lite terminal and the catering Warrant Officer will be able to monitor the output of each kitchen from his central terminal. The instructors on the course are Lt Sam Auckran, W02 Wayne Paul and W02 Ian Shaw.