Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristan Lotz | 181228-N-ME396-152 GROTON, Conn. (Dec. 28, 2018) – Culinary Specialist (Submarine)...... read more read more
GROTON, Conn. – It was a drizzly day onboard Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London, but spirits were bright as a celebrity chef and his team made a delicious meal for Sailors, Dec. 28.
Celebrity chef Kristopher Plummer, known as Chef Plum, and host of the radio show Plum Luv Foods, got the idea while talking to fellow chef Dan Monroe, a veteran friend of his, to put on a special dinner for Sailors at SUBASE New London.
“The whole idea came to us during an episode of Plum Luv Foods, and Chef Dan who is part of our team over there, is an Army veteran,” said Plum. “He was talking about how it stinks being on base during the holidays. I said we should do something fun for the Navy, since we have one of the biggest submarine bases in the country just down the road from us. So I called the Navy—harder than it sounds, but we got through—and put together a group of people to make a great holiday barbeque for the Sailors. It’s hard to imagine that it went from just a conversation, to me here on base making five gallons of Alabama barbeque sauce!”
Plum was also joined by fellow chefs Michele Ragussis and David Bortnem, as well as expert barbeque grillers Melissa Reome, known as Grill Mama, and Antonio Olive, Jr.
Throughout the day Plum and his team prepped the sauce, vegetables and dressed the meat, while outside the galley the two grillers grilled and smoked the meat to be served for dinner that evening.
“I’m the veggie chick on Chef Plum’s team,” said Ragussis. “This makes me want to join the Navy! This is the first military base I’ve ever been on and I’m stoked to be here. We all wanted to give back to you guys who do so much so we can be free.”
Everyone on Plum’s team expressed their gratitude for America’s military members and for their service and sacrifices for their country.
“It’s awesome to be here at the base,” said Bortnem as he dressed a whole pig to be grilled. “I got a tour of one of your submarines earlier. I really admire what you do—I sure couldn’t work on a sub, that’s for sure! That takes a special breed.”
In the pavilion outside Cross Hall Galley, smoke smelling of delicious meats rose into the stormy sky overhead as Grill Mama and Olive prepared their grills and smokers for cooking the meat.
“I’m a competition barbeque griller,” said Olive, owner of Backdraft Bar-B-Q. “I did a barbeque roundtable with Chef Plum about six months ago, so he invited me to come to the base with him because he needed someone who can smoke meat. It’s great to do something like this. I believe in giving back to the community and to you guys. I’m a fireman so I know what it’s like to put yourself on the line and wanted to give you guys on the base something nice for the holidays.”
When the meal was served, lines snaked through Cross Hall Galley as Sailors and galley patrons alike prepared to taste the zesty flavors of the barbeque. Capt. Paul Whitscarver, SUBASE New London commanding officer, thanked Chef Plum and his team for their gift to the base and shook each of their hands.
“I just want to give a big thank you to Chef Plum and his team for having this idea and to everyone who helped put this on for our Sailors,” said Whitescarver. “Things like this show our Sailors how much they’re appreciated by our community.”
Cross Hall Galley staff members helped serve the massive meal and Bortnem personally doled out bits of grilled pork to attendees. There was even live music presented by local artists including American Idol finalist Nick Fradiani, all of whom shared their gratitude for American service members and expressed their pleasure to be at the base performing for such an event.
After the meal was over and most of the guests had departed with full bellies and happy hearts, Plum and his team sat down with members of Cross Hall Galley’s staff to record an episode of Plum Luv Foods live where they discussed military life and cooking, among other topics.
Though the weather was dreary, spirits on SUBASE New London were made bright by a team of local chefs who gave the gift of food and festivity to Sailors staying on base through the holidays.
| Date Taken: | 12.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2018 12:26 |
| Story ID: | 305839 |
| Location: | GROTON, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Celebrity Chef Cooks It Up At SUBASE New London, by PO2 Tristan Lotz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
