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Participant
Interview:
Pablito Santos "Lito"
Chief Steward
NOAA Ship Ron Brown
Jeff: How long have you
been cooking on the Brown?
Pablito: A little over two years now. I started here as the 2nd cook.
At first they kind of doubted me but they eventually realized my capability
of doing things. When the chief steward retired I took over. We travel
about 280 days a year so he wanted to be closer to his family.
Jeff: Where did you work
before NOAA?
Pablito: I spent 30 years in the Navy as a cook. I've run small ships
with 350 crew members, to a large aircraft carrier with about 6,500 crew
members. There were about 300 cooks on the aircraft carrier. I ran eight
mess areas (dining halls) on that ship. It was pretty exciting. You have
to be on your feet most of the time because you can't afford any mistakes.
It was a big operation. I ran a 42-day cycle menu, meaning meals won't
be repeated for 42 days. To have a menu like that, to be effective, you
have to plan very well. I retired about 12 years ago from the Navy and
am eligible to retire here already. I might just finish this season (until
October). Then I'll just go to Casinos and play slot machines all day.
Just kidding. I've got 5 grandchildren so they'll probably keep me busy.
Jeff: How do you compare
cooking for the Navy with cooking for NOAA?
Pablito: The Brown is really easy. In the Navy I didn't have much money
to work with. It's hard to cook good food when you don't have any money.
Here, I get a larger allowance. In order to be successful here, I rely
on Karen Bailey and Jim Scott to help me. It's a team effort.
Jeff: What's the most popular
dish you serve?
Pablito: Besides the burgers, they like the oriental food. The big challenge
here is the vegetarians. It's kind of hard for me because I can only put
so much non-meat dishes out. It takes some planning.
Jeff: My last and most
important question: Will the canned coffee last until Victoria?
Pablito: Probably not. (Jeff Gasps for breath) I've got one can left.
This is the first time I've ever run out of coffee, either in the Navy
or here. I was just caught off guard. It seems like, on this cruise and
the last one, people are drinking more coffee. That's why I just sent
out an order for 250 pounds of beans. Hopefully, it will be in Victoria
upon arrival.
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