Army spouse Kathryn Cuthbertson has been a pastry chef all her career and has worked for some of the world’s most prestigious five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. She told us how she’s juggled her career with army life and how she’s giving back to the military community by sharing her skills with others…


KATHRYN is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and was awarded a Member of The Victorian Order by The Queen.

She said: “I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside some of the industry’s leading chefs in different countries and cook for royalty and celebrities.

“It was a great honour to be asked to join the royal household as Her Majesty’s royal pastry chef in 2006. There are many highlights from my time working for the royal family including creating and executing menus for state occasions, royal weddings and royal christenings. Examples of some of my work can be seen in the two royal collection publications: Royal Teas and A Royal Cookbook.”

Balancing act

Though Kathryn was based in Buckingham Palace, her role took her to all of the royal residencies. It was whilst at Balmoral that she met her husband and her army life began: “Our first marital home was in Edinburgh then we moved to Belfast, Aldershot and Penicuik.

“Due to my professional responsibilities, I remained in London but was able to travel home most weekends. We were finally able to live together in one place when I made the decision to leave the Palace and we were posted to Catterick in 2018.”

Working locally

Kathryn now specialises in creating bespoke cakes and hand-crafted chocolates using high quality sustainably-sourced ingredients and the utmost attention to detail.

“I’ve been running pastry masterclasses for local residents, mainly military families, showing how to create professional desserts in their own kitchens,” she said.

Feedback has been very encouraging so far. Course attendee Josephine Hutchinson loved it: “It was a fantastic evening: fun, informative and we learnt lots of top tips from a pro – those things that cookbooks don’t tell you. Kathryn is a natural teacher, relaxed and very professional. I hope to do more.”

“They are an enjoyable way of meeting people too,” added Kathryn. “Catterick Garrison is very friendly and families are very supportive.”

More than just a job

Although catering has been an incredibly rewarding career for Kathryn, she feels it’s a lifestyle as opposed to just a job: “It takes incredible passion and determination to achieve success.

“Long hours, antisocial working and demanding deadlines are features of the work. In many ways, there are parallels to being a member of the armed forces!”

If you live near Catterick and are interested in joining one of Kathryn’s classes, visit kathryncuthbertson.com

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