MEET the soldiers who will next week be charged with preparing a meal fit for a Queen.

Staff Sergeant Alan Betteridge and his team of army chefs from 2 Signal Regiment at Imphal Barracks have cooked meals for hungry soldiers in the front line in Bosnia, Iraq and the Falklands.

Staff Betteridge, a 38-year-old married man with two children, saw front line action in Iraq; and came under fire in Bosnia. “The vehicle I was travelling in got shot at.”

His toughest challenge was when the kitchen he worked in burned down. “I had to provide breakfast for 300 hungry soldiers with a small stove and an electric griddle.”

But all that pales in comparison beside the prospect of cooking for Her Majesty at the Mansion House next week.

Staff Betteridge has cooked for Royalty before – including the Queen – but only as a junior chef. So he admits he’s a little nervous: especially as it will be the last meal he’ll cook in the army.

“I’ll go out with a bang!” he said.

“It’s an opportunity not to be missed – a real honour! Because of Royal protocol, we’re not allowed to tell you what he and his team will cook for Her Majesty. Staff Betteridge chose the menu himself – and it’s safe to say it will be a little different to the meals he prepares for soldiers at Imphal.

There, soldiers pay £1.78 for a three-course evening meal.

“This will be a bit more finer dining!” he said.

Acting as Maitre D’ will be Sgt Marie Bailey, 39, who works in army stores.

“I volunteered!” she said. “It’s the Queen! Waiting on the Queen isn’t something you do every day!”

Altogether there will be a 34-strong team of army and civilian chefs and waiters at the Mansion House to prepare lunch for the Queen and other dignitaries next Thursday.

There will also be a small honour-guard of Gurkhas outside.

Lt Col Colin Vaudin, CO of 2 Signals, said the army was invited to do the catering by the Lord Mayor, as a way of marking the Queen’s visit – and also in recognition of the fact the regiment will be leaving for a tour of duty in Afghanistan this autumn.