Defence Forces School of Catering
The Defence Forces School of Catering (DFSC) is the primary institution tasked with the delivery of all catering and catering management training to members of the Defence Forces (DF). The school has been in operation as a training establishment of the DF since the foundation of the National Army in 1922. Since then it has been known under various titles, Army School of Cookery, Army School of Catering and its latest title the Defence Forces School of Catering. While its appellations have changed with the trends of the times, its core mission has not; it still remains the centre and repository for all DF catering skills and catering management training.
Strategic Vision
The Defence Forces School of Catering delivers professional military catering training and education tailored to the Defence Forces operational requirements, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required for excellence in catering operation, provides expert advice and support to the DF as the catering centre of excellence and ensures adherence to all necessary catering regulatory legislation and standards.
Mission Statement
The DFSC will meet the Defence Forces operational catering requirements through continuous professional development, innovation and a commitment to excellence. Empowering our people to excel in their roles and uphold the highest standards of military catering.
Core Activities
The school conducts training ranging from basic culinary skills training for new inductees into the catering branches of the DF, to management courses for junior leaders, senior NCOs and officers. It trains personnel for the provision of catering services in both the barracks and in the operational setting, both overseas and at home or at sea. The DFSC is justifiably proud of its record, which delivers high class and professional culinary skills and catering management training to personnel of the DF. We have become a centre of excellence for the delivery of catering training to our trainees and for the provision of expert advice on catering issues to units and formations in the wider DF.
- Certificate in Culinary Arts, Level 5 (QQI 120 Credits, major award)
- Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts, Level 6 (QQI 120 Credits, major award)
- Junior Catering Management Course
- Standard Catering Management Course
- Field Catering Course
- Food Safety Level 1, 2, 3
DEFENCE-FORCES-SCHOOL-OF-CATERING-DFSC-QA-update-072025.pdf
