Mike, Lorenzo and Marsalla
Preparing and serving top notch meals 4 times a day!
Mike the chief steward with Lorenzo and Marsalla his galley mates.
Day 4 of our transit to Antarctica and nothing but water on the horizon. As we have yet to begin research I thought I'd talk about a popular question I've been receiving. "What's the food like on a ship?" Who better to answer that than the Chief Steward Mike Bowen. The food prepared on the cruise is nothing short of fantastic. It is always fresh, hot and plentiful. I asked Mike a little bit about his background. He describes his education becoming a chef as coming from the "school of hard knocks". He was taught by an Italian master chef named Deano in New Orleans. He describes his style as both Italian and creole. It was evident he learned a lot.
Fresh food ready to be loaded on board.
Mike must plan and order all the supplies. This becomes more difficult when you consider the ship departs from various ports around the world. The food purchased is the freshest available and can be kept for at least 28 days. After that he relies on frozen and eventually canned food.
A typical dinner on board.
There are 4 meals prepared each day. The 4th is called "midrats". Now some of you are thinking midrats and a ship shouldn't go together. Midrats simply is an abbreviation for middle rations that are served at 11:30pm-12:30am each day. Remember the research and other ship operations are done 24 hours a day. This allows everybody 3 squares. In order to assure the quality food that is made 24 hours a day galley mates Marsalla and Lorenzo work regular shifts along with Mike.
Thanks Mike, Marsalla and Lorenzo for keeping us so well fed. Guess I better start hitting the gym! 1-day closer to Antarctica!