Hello Hungry Humans!
I’ve been out here on the Thomas G. Thompson for two weeks and I bet you’re all wondering about the food. That was honestly my first question – How’s the food? Oops, I mean how do they manage the food for so many people?
Charlie & Liz
It comes down to three very important people, Liz the Steward, Charlie the 2nd Cook and Joanna the Mess Attendant. Liz manages the galley and food and does about half the cooking. She decides the menu for lunch and dinner and talks with Charlie about breakfasts. Charlie plans and cooks breakfast and keeps the salad bar fresh and full, making sure there are at least two different salads and a variety of toppings. He maintains the galley, keeping it clean and stocked. Charlie also helps with baking and preparations for dinner. Joanna keeps the mess hall stocked with drinks and snacks, napkins and condiments, and clean cups. She cleans the mess after meals and works in the scullery cleaning the dishes. Joanna also helps in the kitchen.
Joanna & Slackjaw
As the steward, Liz not only writes menus and cooks for us, she oversees stocking the store rooms and keeping track of which food needs to be used in what order. She keeps track of all paper products and cleaning supplies for the entire ship. Liz says that being steward can be very stressful, but she finds it to be an interesting and pleasant challenge. The hardest part is preparing for a long cruise, making sure there is enough food of an adequate variety onboard. The best part is sailing around the world meeting different people and seeing the different types of foods and packaging. Liz enjoys putting out comfort food and making sure everyone is taken care of. The scientists on this cruise definitely feel well cared for. Everyone onboard agrees that the food is plentiful and delicious!
How did Liz become steward? She started as a mess attendant then became second cook and eventually worked her way up to steward. She worked on smaller boats closer to shore on many different 2- or 3-week journeys and really enjoyed it. Liz still works on the smaller boats during her time off from the Thomas G. Thompson. Although Joanna is mess attendant on this cruise, she was second cook on her last cruise. As much as she enjoys cooking, she also likes being in the mess where she can interact more with the other people onboard.
Kudos to the Culinary Crew!
Sally
