Naval Station Norfolk Galley competes in “2023 Best of the Mess” competition

ByMC2JosephT.Miller

VIRGINIABEACH,Va NavalStationNorfolk’s CulinarySpecialistscompetedinthe“2023Bestof TheMess competitionattheFoundersInnandSpa locatedinVirginiaBeach,Va.,Feb10,2023

Participants from NAVSTA Norfolk, Culinary Specialist1stClassEbonyFortney,CulinarySpecialist2ndClassCrystalBoucherandCulinarySpecialist Seaman, Lynn Trostad, under the team name “Culinary Daughters”, attempted to defend their titleas“BestoftheMess”fromlastyear’sevent.

The event, hosted by the Chief Petty Officer ScholarshipFund(CPOSF),invitedsixcommands: NAVSTA Norfolk, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and PCU New Jersey (SSN 796) to compete for the title of “Best oftheMess”.

“When the Food Service Officer chosen me to leadtheteamIknewIhadtodoitright,”saidFortney “SoIchoseteamamoreseniorSailor,Boucher, who would have the knowhow and a new Sailor, Trostad, who could use the experience of this competitiontoimproveherownwork.”

The “Culinary Daughters” prepared a tangy and savoryKoreanstylebarbecuebeefandmixedvegetables, a sushi roll, a side of Chinese inspired sour soup and an ice cream with polenta crumble web asdessert.

“We went a little all over Asia with our menu,” said Fortney “We were originally going to do a ramenwitheverythinginit,butwelaterdecidedto spreaditoutsoeachflavorcouldbeitsown.Outof the ingredients, thepolenta washardest to manipulate. We ended up using it in our barbeque sauce and made a cake that had it crumbled into our ice cream.”

TheAsianthemecontinuedinthedécoroftheir voting area, taking heavy influence from Japanese culture Thethemealsowasreflectedintheirserving staff who wore kimonos while serving both guestsandjudges

“The theme came about because I’ve been to Japan,” said Fortney “I really love and appreciate thecultureandmyshipmateagreeswithme.”

The NAVSTA Norfolk Team presented their dish to the judges, followed in 15 minute intervals by their competitors While the judges made their decision the CPOSF allowed the rest of the guests tobeserved showedavideoofthe2022-2023scholars, held a silent and live auction, and held cash prizegamesfortheattendees.

NAVSTA Norfolk’s team won the “People’s Choice Award” and “Best Decorated”. The rest of thewinnerswereasfollows;2ndrunnerupwentto USS Kearsarge, 1st runner up went to USS McFaul and “Best of the Mess” went to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“Thiswasagoodexperience,”saidFortney “We hoped to win, but we had good competition from somewonderfulteams,andIhopeotherteamsfeel thesameaboutus.”

VIRGINIABEACH,VA(Feb 10 2023) CulinarySpecialist Seaman,Lynn Trostad,sautés onions during the “2023 Best ofthe Mess”competition at the Founders Inn and Spa inVirginia Beach,Feb.10 2023.(U.S.NAVYPHOTO BYMASSCOMMUNICATIONSPECIALIST 2NDCLASSJOSEPHTMILLER)

VIRGINIABEACH,VA(Feb 10 2023) CulinarySpecialist 2nd Class, Crystal Boucher,prepares a cabbage during the“2023 Best ofthe Mess” competition at the Founders Inn and Spa inVirginia Beach,Feb.10 2023.(U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYMASS COMMUNICATIONSPECIALIST2ND CLASSJOSEPHTMILLER)

VIRGINIA BEACH,VA (Feb 10, 2023) Culinary Specialist 2nd Class, Crystal Boucher, (left), Culinary Specialist 1st Class, Ebony Fortney, and Culinary Specialist Seaman, Lynn Trostad, display their“People’s Choice”and“Best Decorated”awards during the“2023 Best of the Mess”competition at the Founders Inn and Spa in Virginia Beach, Feb. 10 2023.The event hosted by the Chief Petty Officer Scholarship Fund, highlights the talent of Culinary Specialists around the fleet. (U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYMASSCOMMUNICATIONSPECIALIST2ND CLASSJOSEPHTMILLER)