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Shiloh
chefs exchange culinary skills
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RAN
PO and organiser of the Chefs Exchange Program Paul Graham
with Leading Mess Specialist Paul Hazlerig and Food Services
Officer Ruth-Ann Acevedo.
Photo by Greg Odger.
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Cooking
onboard a 9,600-ton United States guided missile cruiser is very
different to working in a commercial kitchen, which is exactly what
three Perth chefs discovered last month.
Executive sous chef Tim Richardson, commie chef Ricky Wallenburg
and demi chef Victoria Harkup traded their day jobs at Rendezvous
Observation City Hotel to experience the confined conditions of
USS Shiloh as part of the popular Chefs Exchange Program.
Likewise, cooks from Shiloh visited the hotel’s nine kitchens,
also to trade hints, tips and insider secrets.
The program is a joint venture between the US Navy and the WA Catering
Institute of Australia and organised by RAN PO Paul Graham.
The three chefs enhanced the ship’s lunchtime menu, blending
fresh herbs and spices to some of the dishes including Italian roasted
potatoes and steamed rice.
“We were restricted in what changes we could make as not only
do they have to keep to a budget but the food is assessed by a dietician,”
said Mr Richardson, who has worked in the catering industry since
he was 15.
“We wanted to show them that little things can be done to spice
up a dish that don’t have to cost a lot or take much time.”
Cooks on Shiloh prepare about 1500 meals a day from one confined
kitchen.
Mr Richardson, who has boarded USS Constellation and more recently,
USS Abraham Lincoln, said the program offered civilian chefs an
insight into an otherwise unknown career.
“On board there are set menus and it is very regimented.
“It is also fast-paced compared to our kitchens and presentation
is not the same — they need to get the food cooked and served
as quickly as possible where as we can spend time on the little
things.”
USS Shiloh accompanied USS Abraham Lincoln to Fremantle before heading
for The Gulf.
For more information about the Chefs Exchange Program visit www.penny.ca/adoptaship
or www.MHAifsea.com.
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