Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Galley has been named a five-star establishment for the eighth consecutive year after completing the five-star assessment, May 10.

The assessment encompasses the entire operation of all the galleys onboard the installation. The program is inspected on administration, financial records, accountability, Navy-standard core menu, procurement, food safety, storage, food safety, storage, food preparation, service, sanitation, facilities, equipment, safety, training and security.

The commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) galley program manager is heavily involved with the food service operation by observing the operations (government purchase card program, financial reports, number of persons fed and contract financial manager) on a constant basis through reports and requests.

"We have to stay at the top of our game at all times as we report to him on a lot of matters of the operation," said Chief Culinary Specialist Ezekiel Wright, NSGB Galley leading culinary specialist. "We have really ramped up on preparing for this inspection visit since February by spot checking and self-assessing the operation to score the best possible."

Wright is no stranger to hard work that requires him to stay at the top of his game at all times. As the leading culinary specialist, he is responsible for feeding more than 4,000 people four meals a day, while overseeing four food service galleys and managing a 130 personnel contract worth $4.5 million - all while keeping everyone safe and ensuring no one gets sick.

Accomplishing all of this on an isolated, communist island and achieving superior assessment scores time after time makes NSGB galley stand out far above the rest.

"It gives me a sense of pride to be able to complete such a task on a daily basis," said Wright. "I always try to tell people what I do and watch their facial expressions of confusion and wow factor."

To achieve five-star status, a food service galley must score an overall 95 percent and above on the five-star assessment, meaning the galley has been evaluated and reviewed by the CNRSE Galley program manager as operating to the maximum effectiveness. A galley must score between 85 and 94 percent to be named a four-star galley or 75 to 84 percent to be a three-star galley. Anything below 75 percent is considered a failure to meet minimum standards.

NSGB Galley will receive a five-star excellence award from commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) in recognition of their accomplishment.

Though they've reached one major accomplishment, NSGB galleys have no intention of slowing down. They are already beginning to prepare for the next step, the Navy Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for outstanding food service, by starting the self-assessment and evaluation process again to ensure they're competitive at an even higher level.

"You have got to constantly have a dream team to do what we do," said Wright. "I am truly proud of the effort of professionalism this military and contracting crew has shown in their performance. I know that they will continue to operate and give Guantanamo Bay the five-star service they deserve as our nation's true heroes."

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