FINAL WORD
It ’ s vital that we we can stay open to provide a service
A military chef displays meal items beore opening the lunch line
Providing Essential Service during a Pandemic
Not all heroes wear capes , but every hero needs to eat . During the COVID pandemic and since March 2020 , chefs have consolidated the three messes on Imjin Barracks to one facility , providing the essential service to feed the military ’ s most important asset .
“ The ARRC is still planning future exercises , so we still need to be able to provide that service for as long and safe as possible ,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Lambert , unit catering manager with the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion .
Military and civilian chefs serve soldiers lunch on Imjin Barracks
“ Because of the reduced footprint on camp , soldiers working from home , the idea was to close the messes and use centralised feeding . Not only to protect the soldiers , but also the work force ”.
Civilian and military chefs are a proven valuable asset as seen recently on
Exercise Loyal Leda , and most recent support to civil authorities during the COVID efforts . Their ability to feed troops in the fight through difficulty has been proven again and again .
During the COVID pandemic the team has increased safety and health procedures to protect each other and diners , including staggered shifts , more hand washing and sanitation stations , a one-way system , increased hand washing intervals , plastic screens for tills , contactless payment , no self-service , face masks , gloves , plastic aprons and 2 metre distance seating arrangements .
“ I feel safe because we are taking the right precautions with everyone in the kitchen and we are following government guidelines ,” said Private Avony Sherman , a military chef , “ At the end of the day everyone has to do their job regardless of what is going on , as we are following the right procedures ”.
This is all made possible because of the collaboration of the contract catering company and military chefs who work together to provide three hot meals a day .
“ We have a very good relationship with the military chefs here ,” said Stuart Murray , the site executive chef , “ We ’ ve always worked together well … always liaising and talking with each other ”.
“ The protocols we take aren ’ t just to keep the staff safe , but also to keep the military personnel safe in the environment when they come to eat ,” said Murray . “ It ’ s vital that we can stay open to provide a service ”.
Military and civilian chefs work alongside preparing meals for diners
Even with a reduced number of diners , the facility continues to asses measures to stay open to feed the soldiers who live in the barracks and essential employees working on camp . This includes supporting soldiers who isolate , with a buddy food drop-off system .
Lance Corporal Jacob Taylor , 252nd Signal Squadron , 1st Signal Brigade , said “ It ’ s good to know that during the pandemic we can still come get a hot meal in a safe environment ”.
Lambert added , “ we still have to provide a service , and I think we ’ ve been doing it pretty well ”.
30 SPRING 2021 the imjin @ HQARRC Allied Rapid Reaction Corps