HODs in the Galley

HMAS Ballarat's Heads of Department cook up Portuguese Fritters for the ship's company during Northern Trident 09.

Gordon Ramsey might have Hell’s Kitchen, but HMAS Ballarat has HOD’s (Heads of Department) Kitchen!

Together with Commanding Officer, CMDR Kevin Turner, LCDR Michael Devine (Executive Officer), LCDR Matt Ritchie (Weapons Electrical Engineer Officer), LCDR Richard Austin (Marine Engineer Officer) and LCDR Ken Owers (Supply Officer) cooked up a storm when they headed to the Galley to whip up afternoon tea for the ship’s company recently.

With LCDR Owers employing some of Ramsey’s trademark language, the CO and HODs took to the challenge with gusto, ably assisted (or supervised very closely, depending on who you ask) by cook, AB Lisa Russell and stewards, AB Kirri-Lee Brazendale, AB Sam Cox and AB Vanessa Florance.

Their dish of choice was a traditional RAN delicacy - ‘Portuguese Fritters’. Assembled from sliced bread smothered in jam, the HODs and their assistants/supervisors then dipped the jam sandwiches into batter and deep fried them before completing the gourmet delicacy by rolling the fritters in cinnamon sugar.

So while the fruits of their labour are unlikely to meet Ramsey’s exacting standards, nor win approval from the Weight Watchers group, the sticky fingers and sugar covered lips were a sure sign that the ship’s company approved of the sweet treats provided by their bosses for afternoon tea.