JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) was awarded the 2019 Captain Edward F. Ney Award for best submarine food service in the Navy, Feb. 27.
The Ney Award for food service excellence was established in 1958 by the Secretary of the Navy and is awarded to Navy galleys that demonstrate excellence in food service.
Culinary Specialist (Submarine) Seaman Kenyomo Tatum talked about what the award means to him and other members of the food service team.
“For us it shows that we are the best of the best,” said Tatum. The Ney is what every food service team strives for. It’s the Super Bowl for our rate and it takes dedication, commitment and creativity to win this prestigious award.”
The Ney Memorial Awards Program is co-sponsored by the International Food Service Executives Association to encourage and recognize excellence in Navy Food Service programs.
“Dedication and hard work is something everyone in the submarine force has,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (Submarine) David Abollo. “We won the Ney award because of how much the guys care about their profession and the welfare of the crew. This award is not only a testament to the hard work the guys put in but also a testament to the supply ohana in Pearl Harbor.”
“In my 20-year career I have had no better food than right here on Santa Fe,” said Master Chief Sonar Technician (Submarine) James McGarrah, Santa Fe’s Chief of the Boat. “Our culinary specialists have some real talent that will take them places both here in the Navy or in the civilian world. I couldn’t think of a better food service division in my career that has earned this honor.”
Culinary Specialist (Submarine) 3rd class Joshua Carlton stressed the importance of continuing to maintain a high standard of excellence.
“We need to remember what it took to get here,” said Carlton. “We can’t rest on this win and expect the same result next year. We need to take what we accomplished and learned this year and build on it for the years to come.”
“Our food service division definitely earned this award,” said Cmdr. Christopher Hedrick, Santa Fe’s commanding officer. “Throughout my time here not only have they cooked some amazing food but their willingness to take on challenges and support the ship in every way they can makes a noticeable impact on the morale of the crew.”
Santa Fe is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of the capital of New Mexico. An improved Los Angeles-class fast-attack nuclear-powered submarine, she features an advanced fire control system, retractable bow planes, and 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk cruise missile strikes.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.csp.navy.mil.