Wasp Holds ‘Iron Chef’ Competition

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons | Capt. Lowell D. Crow (far right) and the other panelists for USS Wasp's "Iron Chef" competition interact with members of the two competing teams while being served gourmet meals on the ship's mess decks July 29. During the competition, the teams, named "The Caribbean Jerks" and "Bon Appetit," took turns serving a four-course meal of appetizers, soup, main entrée, and dessert to the panel, which then judged the teams on presentation, originality, and taste. Bon Appetit took top honors in presentation and taste, thus winning the overall Iron Chef award.  

USS WASP, AT SEA

08.06.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

USS WASP, At Sea – Onboard any Navy ship, the Culinary Specialists who prepare meals for the crew usually toil behind the scenes, working long hours to ensure that every member of the crew gets three whole meals a day. But onboard USS Wasp July 29, the ship’s CS’s took center stage during an “Iron Chef” competition.

“This competition was meant to encourage our CS’s to use their creativity and take their skills to another level,” said Chief Warrant Officer Benny Brockington, Wasp’s Food Services Officer. “A lot of the food we serve is pre-processed, so this was a chance for them to just have fun and enjoy their rate.”

During the competition held on the ship’s mess deck, two teams of five CS’s served gourmet meals to a panel of judges consisting of Capt. Lowell D. Crow, Wasp’s commanding officer; Capt. Brenda Holdener, Wasp’s executive officer; Cmdr. Steven Connell, Wasp’s chief engineer; Command Master Chief Jim Jones, and Becky Creed, the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator.

During the competition, the teams, named “The Caribbean Jerks” and “Bon Appetit,” took turns serving a four-course meal of appetizers, soup, main entrée, and dessert to the panel, which then judged the teams on presentation, originality, and taste.

In the end, Bon Appetit took top honors in presentation and taste, thus winning the overall Iron Chef award.

“It was good to show that we’re not just cooks on watch,” said Seaman Justin Washington, who was part of the winning team. “We’re true culinary specialists who take pride in our work and help to boost the morale of the crew.”

“The competition gave us a chance to show what all our time, dedication, and hard work lead up to,” added Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Martel, who was a member of The Caribbean Jerks. “We take raw products and turn them into delightful entrees.”

After it was over, Crow praised all of the ship’s CS’s for the hard work they put in every single day on Wasp.

“I’d put our culinary specialists up against any chef in the world,” he said. “They all do a fantastic job.”

• Date Taken: 08.06.2010
• Date Posted: 08.06.2010 13:28
• Story ID: 54069
• Location: USS WASP, AT SEA