Two executive chefs and culinary educators from Advanced Systems Information Group conducted training with the ship's kitchen staff on board the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), Dec. 7-17.

Fred Parmenter and Mitchell Watford, were tasked to ensure Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners are satisfied with their meals and give Frank Cable's cooks the tools to meet and exceed mess standards.

"If I can't say, 'I did my best today' then I either have something to work on or I need to take a walk," said Watford. "It's not about me, it's about the ship. It's about the customers and it is our business to make the customers happy."

Watford takes his role aboard the Cable seriously. Stepping into the scullery return area, he looks to understand what the crew ate and why certain foods are being thrown away. Doing this, Watford gets a good idea of which parts of the mess lines are popular, and which parts need improvement.

"Is it a personal choice or was it too salty? Maybe it wasn't cooked right," said Watford. "It's about the customers and it is our business to make the customers happy."

Civilian mariner Andrew Leggett, 2nd Cook in the enlisted galley aboard Frank Cable, is known by the crew for his breakfast omelettes and memorizing orders for nearly everyone who comes through his line.

"They have shown us different cooking techniques and how to make the product better," said Leggett. "They showed us attention to detail and making sure the product isn't over or under cooked."

Parmenter and Watford conduct refresher training with more than 50 different vessels of various crew sizes.

"This is the icing on the cake for both of our careers," said Parmenter. "Being able to give back to make lives better; I feel good about it."

Parmenter and Watford's focus is to rediscover the fundamentals and apply new details to enhance shipboard food service.

"We're going for five stars," said Leggett. "If we don't grasp it then there is something wrong. We're going to take what we're learning and grow from there."

Frank Cable, currently in Portland, Ore. for a dry-dock phase maintenance availability, conducts maintenance and supports submarines and surface vessels deployed to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.