Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Heather Wamsley | PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 14, 2017) - Military Sealift Command civilian mariner Chief...... read more read more
After living in hotels for more than half a year, Sailors aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), were a little weary about moving back on board. During our stay here in the Rose City, Sailors enjoyed the many unique and delicious restaurants Portland has to offer. You could say that our palates had become a little bit more refined. And Aggie Jackson would agree. “That’s good to hear.”
But who is Aggie Jackson? The nice lady we see daily on the mess decks, watching over the line? That smiling face, who talks to you with southern charm, is Military Sealift Command’s new Chief Steward, the lady who is guiding her staff in raising the bar.
The Chief Steward’s primary function is to assure that onboard food service operations are properly planned, and meet the highest standards of preparation, production and presentation. Jackson has met all of that and has pushed her staff to higher levels. On top of that, she needs to oversee the preparation of up to 3,300 meals per day.
Ship’s Master Capt. Todd Christian said that he sought her out because of her excellent reputation on her previous ship, a reputation of delivering a quality product.
“The Chief Steward assigned to this vessel must have the knowledge, skills and abilities to manage one of the largest food services in MSC,” said Christian. “Since coming aboard in September, she has continually provided excellent food and customer service to the officers and crew, exceeding all expectations.”
Even with 25 years of food service experience and being a certified dietary manager, that wasn’t enough for MSC to qualify her as a Chief Steward. Jackson started as a supply utilityman and worked her way up from there.
“I didn’t learn how to cook with MSC,” said Jackson. “I came here already knowing how to cook.”
Jackson’s love affair with food isn’t recent. Her passion began at a much younger age in her native Virginia Beach, Va.
“When I was a young child at the age of nine I started in my mother’s kitchen by standing by her side,” said Jackson. “I used to mimic everything she did. A pinch here, a dab there, and a taste and another pinch if needed. She was a dictionary of food service and could cook anything.”
That, ‘pinch if needed’ has made her a hit across the mess decks. From her first meal served, Sailors have been raving about how much she cares about the quality of the food, and the satisfaction of the crew.
“There hasn’t been a meal yet that I didn’t want to eat,” said Machinery Repairman 3rd Class Joel Burris. “You can tell she actually cares about us, it seems like she actually reads the comment cards that we fill out. I really like that we actually have an opinion on what we eat here now.”
“I have done nothing special here,” said Jackson. “Don’t tell me that the food is good. I’m not the cook. Tell the cook. I am not the one who is making the decks look nice; tell the one who cleans it. I can’t take credit for something that someone else is doing. All I can take credit for is putting the right person where they need to be.”
Jackson’s knowledge of food didn’t just come from her mother and books; it’s something she learned over time.
“My knowledge of food comes from different people in my life from all parts of the world,” said Jackson. “Curiosity of different foods and different favors has driven my knowledge to create.”
Although she has been on many ships within MSC, Cable is her first Navy command, and she is up to the challenge.
“Frank Cable is a challenge, but a challenge that I like,” said Jackson. “A demanding of a task that cause for special effort and dedication is something that makes me thrive at making the USS Frank Cable be the best that it can be.”
While Portland has many great dining options, Ms. Jackson has stepped up to the game of the galley by providing meals the crew is staying here for rather than going out in town to eat.
“I’m glad the crew is enjoying the food,” said Jackson. “I have some more surprises in store. Just wait, honey. Just wait.”
We’ll keep waiting Ms. Jackson. We’ll keep waiting.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.30.2017 19:44 |
| Story ID: | 256447 |
| Location: | PORLAND, OR, US |
| Hometown: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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