Working here is like a gym session
Rosie, a vital member of Anthony’s team, shares her daily experiences highlighting the scale and intensity of their tasks. “Today for lunch, we prepared Chicken Arabiata with pasta, baked beans, fruits, and some cakes,” she explains proudly. The preparation process is both a culinary challenge and a physical workout, involving heavy pots and large quantities, reminiscent of a gym session. “You have to have muscles,” Rosie says with a laugh, describing the physicality needed to manage the demands of the kitchen.
Chef Rosie cooking up a storm.
Her team operates in shifts to ensure that all meal preparations flow smoothly from one part of the day to the next. “The night shift does the prepping for us, and then my shift comes in the morning and puts everything together,” Rosie details the seamless handover that enables them to provide a continuous meal service. This efficient shift work ensures that up to 800 service personnel are fed from breakfast through dinner, highlighting the scale of this operation. Over the coming days those numbers are about to go up to over 1200.
Dietary Requirements:
Anthony oversees the operations with a focus on nutrition and logistics, ensuring that every meal is not only tasty but also meets the calorific requirements of active soldiers. “To feed 1,250 troops, we receive a ration delivery once a week, which includes about 30 tons of food split between dry, frozen, and fresh,” Anthony explains. This logistical endeavor involves careful timing and coordination, with supplies coming as far as the UK and The Netherlands.
Chef Anthony has to ensure both taste and nutritional requirements are top notch.
Beyond the sheer volume of food prepared, what stands out is the team’s enthusiasm for their work. Both Anthony and Rosie emphasize the creative aspects of their roles, which allow them to experiment and be innovative within the constraints of military dietary requirements. “Out here on Steadfast Dart, I’ve been given the money to spend, which allows my team the freedom to experiment, have fun, and enjoy the job,” Anthony remarks, underscoring the autonomy they are granted in the field.
We work together as a team, and everyone gets their tasks done the way they should
As Steadfast Dart continues, the culinary team’s efforts exemplify the spirit of cooperation and professionalism promoted by NATO. Their work is a crucial element in supporting the exercise; ensuring that when nations come together under the NATO banner, they do so supported by a team that not only feeds them but also, lifts their spirits through good food and good company.