Service Members Treated to Celebrity Chef Luncheon During Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Mavis A. Tillman, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) Sailors and distinguished guests were treated to a luncheon on board the ship while it was in port for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011, April 27.

Coral Ridge Country Club Executive Chef Udo Mueller and his staff treated the crew and guests as part of the annual fleet week Celebrity Chef Luncheon. The event features several local chefs who show off the best in South Florida cuisine while giving Navy culinary specialists and ships' crew the opportunity to experience new dishes.

"This is my fourth year participating in this event, and my first time on a ship this size with a big enough kitchen to prepare a whole banquet," said Mueller, who also expressed his amazement at how much food is prepared each day for the crew.

This year's signature dish was Belizean Lobster Salad, Duet of Chilean Seabass, and Braised Beef with Whipped Potatoes.

"We are in Florida, so I chose a tropical kind of food," said Mueller.

Culinary specialists and food service attendants (FSA) worked closely with Mueller and his staff of two sous chefs and two service attendants throughout the meal preparation and presentation, down to garnishing each plate of food and synchronizing service.

"It is important for us to get this kind of opportunity to learn the hands-on tricks of the trade, get some new recipes, and see the talents the chef and his staff showcase," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kevin Sutton.

"Lunch was amazing," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW/SW) Claudia Conger. "Everyone at our table was so impressed by the presentation, atmosphere and setting of the event."

The chef, his staff, and distinguished luncheon guests were offered tours of the ship after the meal by Capt. Thomas Chassee, USS Iwo Jima commanding officer.

"Leaving the club house to another location for an event is always nice, but hearing it's on board a United States naval ship was exciting; nothing will ever top that," said J.J. Sehlke, Coral Ridge Country Club managing partner.

Other local celebrity chefs also prepared luncheons for fleet week service members.

More than one hundred and fifty guests and crew members from guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760), Iwo Jima and U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale were honored through the annual fleet week event.

More than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011. The week-long celebration showcases the men and women of the sea services. It also highlights the capabilities of the ships, submarines, SEABEES, Riverine units, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard. Fort Lauderdale honors these men and women through public events and recognition.

For more information on Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011, visit the Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs Center's Navy NewsStand page at https://navcms.news.navy.mil/local/nrse/.

Media outlets interested in covering Fleet Week events should contact Lt. Cmdr. Jonathon Blyth at 202-270-8136.