Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sheryssa Joseph Dodard | Lt. j.g. Vanessa J. Carollo, assigned to the Virginia-class attack submarine USS New...... read more read more
U.S. Navy Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen joined together with students and recent graduates of Arc Broward Culinary to compete in the “Galley Wars” cooking competition as part of Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale (FWFL) 2025, April 28.
Arc Culinary is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and learning challenges to be successful in a culinary career. Arc Broward Culinary features a full kitchen classroom, sponsored by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
“The students we have are very ecstatic to work with the military members,” said Chad Phillips, one of the instructors for the post-secondary certification program of Arc Broward Culinary, and a U.S. Marine veteran. “They are working beside people that they look up to. They were absolutely amazing to our students and they absolutely just treated them in a manner to make them feel special and worthy.”
The “Galley Wars” competition included five teams made up of three service members and a current, or recently graduated student of Arc Culinary. The service members represented the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), the Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa (WMEC 902), and 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.
“It was a lot more fun than what I was expecting,” said Coast Guard Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Drew Bailey, assigned to USCGC Tampa. “They are doing a great thing here at Arc and I was proud to be a part of it. I was really proud of the plating and the dish that we accomplished. When we put our minds together, and really work, I was very surprised with what we could come up with. I would do it again, any day.”
Each team had 75 minutes to prepare a dish and present it to a panel of volunteer judges, to include Rear Adm. John Hewitt, commander, Navy Region Southeast, Kimberly Nichols, owner of Kimmy’s Kreations and U.S. Navy veteran, Edwin Vivas, customer relations coordinator for the United States Postal Service, Stan Hays, chief executive officer and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief, and Julie Price, chief executive officer of Arc Broward Culinary.
At the end of the competition, the judges declared the team representing the U.S. Marine Corps as the winner of “Galley Wars”. The team consisted of Cpl. Dakota Horton, Cpl. Timothy Koon, Lance Cpl. Benjamin Cortese, and recent Arc graduate Zhyon Thomas. Admitting they had very little culinary experience, the Marines gave all credit to their teammate Zhyon Thomas.
“I had a great team,” said Thomas. “I can’t do anything without them and their communication. I want to thank them for helping me in the kitchen. I would be happy to serve with Marines any day.”
“They are more than welcome to come into my kitchen," said Phillips. "I trust them 100 percent. I would love Fleet Week to come and do this again.”
FWFL celebrates a time-honored tradition of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and witness the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 1,100 service members will showcase their capabilities and equipment, participate in various community service events, and enjoy the hospitality of the Fort Lauderdale area.
Broward Navy Days and other military support organizations are the hosts of Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale. U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships moor at Port Everglades and support activities designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy, as well as an opportunity for the citizens of South Florida and visitors to meet nearly 2,000 Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and firsthand see the latest capabilities of today’s sea services while increasing the awareness of the Navy’s role and purpose in our national defense.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2025 11:57 |
| Story ID: | 496392 |
| Location: | SUNRISE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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