presents
Andrew
Selz
hosting
The Navy Challenge
by Lt. Corey Barker, USS John
C. Stennis Public Affairs
This one-hour show matches up three teams of culinary specialists
from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis who go head-to-head
in a heated ‘food for all’ contest. The challenge
is divided into two categories, fine dinning and a steel beach BBQ
on the flight deck of the massive ship during a sea-power demonstration
for all hands.
Chef
Andrew Selz, an award winning chef from Peekskill, N.Y. and honorary
member of the Stennis crew, hosted the challenge. He joined
the ship in Perth, Australia, and traveled aboard for two weeks to
meet the crew and get the show ready to shoot.
“My journey from Perth,
producing the Navy Chef Challenge, and the time spent in the galleys
with the culinary specialists was very rewarding," Selz said.
"I am impressed with the level of professionalism and good nature
of the culinary specialists and the entire crew." The Navy
is focusing on better training for culinary specialists, and that
training is paying off.
“The morale among the 150
culinary specialists was absolutely amazing!" said Selz.
"The food served on board tasted great, and that is no easy feat
when preparing food for thousands of hungry Sailors every day."
Camera crews embarked Stennis
in Hawaii and began shooting the competition the first day at sea.
Shooting the television show during Tiger Cruise allowed the crew’s
friends and family to watch and participate in the show. More
than 1,000 guests of the crew traveled with the ship to San Diego
for the five-day family cruise.
“My
experience shooting on the Stennis was unlike any other field production
I have encountered," said Food Network executive Christianna
Reinhardt. "I have shot on locations all over the country,
including on board ships, but nothing compared to the experience of
shooting a show on an aircraft carrier.”
“I cannot help but admire
the proficiency and capability of the culinary specialists as they
prepared and served delicious food for a crew of almost 6,000 people,”
Selz said. “It was truly amazing to witness.”
