Gunline Dec08.qxd:Gunline 15/12/08 16:16 Page 1 Gunline - The First Point of Contact Published by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service December 2008 www.rfa.mod.uk COMBINED SERVICES CULINARY CHALLENGE 2008 he eighth Combined Services creativity, workmanship, composition TCulinary Challenge took place at and presentation, including taste. A 90% Sandown Park in October and was + score is awarded a gold medal, 75% + yet again an extremely successful a silver medal, 65% + a bronze medal event. Well attended by both and 55% + is awarded a certificate of supporters and competitors; HRH merit. The best in class is awarded a The Countess of Wessex (Patron of further trophy. There were 15 Blue the Craft Guild of Chefs) attended Riband events from which the inter- and presented medals on the last day. service Champions trophy is awarded. The Royal Naval team included This year the RAF won the trophy. competitors from RN, RM, RFA, There was a variety of events, a one Aramark and Sodexho and this year course dish for chefs to prepare, flambé picked up an impressive total of 6 dishes for the stewards to master and gold medals, 10 best in class awards, combination events such as cook and 16 silver medals, 14 bronze medals serve with chef and steward working and 22 certificates of merit. together. It can get very nerve racking The organisation, training, with a camera crew filming your every preparation and co-ordination were move and the audience being very close; demanding and required a huge the junior and novice competitors did amount of time and effort from all. extremely well to hold their nerves. Everything, from ordering the This prestigious event is not just for Stwd Lee Barnes, PO CK Matt Rowberry, 1/0 (LS) Pat Prunty, Ast/CK Paul Moon and ingredients to arranging the transport the Catering Services Branch. There were Ast/CK Simon Dunne and accommodation plans had to done more than sixty stalls in the grounds – and St Omer Barracks, however, the teams to participate and take up the by someone, and it is a testimony to all many giving away free samples! The majority practiced at their place of work, challenge. We have the talent out involved that it came together to cake and sculpture display were a chance mainly due to work commitments. there to go one better and win the enable the RN Team to compete. for chefs to show off yet more skills. Behind the scenes the RN working Inter-Service Champions Trophy. Whatever was going on in the There was also a demonstration arena party worked extremely hard in providing This year we welcomed to the background, the results for the where chefs taught the audience different the best possible service to competitors team the following RFA personnel: individuals and the team as a whole and efficient ways of cooking. The Army and also took up the opportunity to watch PO Cook Matt Rowberry speak for themselves. It would be also set up a very efficient field kitchen and support the many live skills events L/H Cook Simon Dunne unfair to single out individual or group which provided competitors with a and managed to attend the food selection ASST Cook Paul Moon performances for particular praise, but welcome breakfast after their early starts panel for more food. STWD Lee Barnes and STWDESS I can tell you that I spent three days at and tea and coffee throughout the day. We look forward to CSCC 09. It is Lisa Ross and not forgetting 6 trainees Sandown being constantly in awe of Most Stewards this year had attended important to build on our strengths and stewards from HMS Raleigh. the capabilities, professionalism and HMS Raleigh to train prior to the successful team challenge this year. Planning for CSCC 09 will start sheer determination of everyone who competition where they were put through This will be achieved with the full early 2009. If you require further contributed, which drew praise from their paces by the experienced teaching support of Senior Management, DLMS, information on competing, helping, the chairman of judges and the overall staff to reach the very high standards Logistic Officers, Appointing Desk organising, administration or DFSIPT organising committee. expected. The chefs also had the Managers and Team Captains in supporting CSCC 09 contact the RN, The awards are given according to opportunity to practice at HMS Raleigh encouraging more individuals and RM & RFA Team Manager. First Officer Pat Prunty on 02392 62 5809. Look forward to seeing you there. ROYALROYAL FLEETFLEET AUXILIARYAUXILIARY COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY WEBSITEWEBSITE 1/O Pat Prunty ForFor ServingServing MembersMembers,, theirtheir FamilyFamily andand FriendsFriends INFORMATION ADVICE COMMUNICATION PO CK Matt Rowberry, Ast/CK Paul Moon, Lisa Ross, Stwd Lee Barnes and www.rfacom.mod.uk Ast/CK Simon Dunne Gunline Dec08.qxd:Gunline 12/12/08 15:54 Page 2 2 - Gunline Commodore Bill Walworth RFA CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN aced with an empty ost of us will be seeking happiness this Christmas Joy is an attribute of God and his gift. God wants page, five hundred F Mbut I suspect that it may be difficult to find. For us to experience joy even when we face the worst words required yesterday those at sea over the festive season there will be the that life can throw at us. The opposite of joy is not and my first introduction feeling that fun is for other people. Some will be working sadness. In every life there is sadness and to Gunline to draft, I in the dangerous waters of the Gulf and near the East disappointment and sometimes even pain can be put asked about our African Coast. For those at home there are the threats of to creative use. The opposite of joy is fear. Fear stops circulation and readers to unemployment and many hard financial issues. You will us going out, it stops us seeking the new, and it stops understand what you all be in my thoughts and prayers at this time. us taking risks: fear stops us being fully human. Joy wanted to know about. If we seek happiness we know it will be in short helps us to be generous to others and ourselves. You may be as surprised supply. Like the rainbow it always seems just over the Ultimately joy allows us mirror one of the attributes as me to discover 5000 horizon. Seeking it is like being in a darkened room and of God. copies of Gunline are lighting a match. There is brightness for a few seconds Joy is often found by listening to other people, by sent to a wide audience of serving RFA people, RFA and then the darkness returns. At Christmas it is better doing a generous act and giving some kindness. Association, Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence, to seek joy. From the ancient scriptures we read: May the joy of the angels, maritime industrial partners, and a number of bodies Do not be afraid for I bring good news of great joy the perseverance of the wise men and individuals with an interest in our Service. Our for all people, and the peace of the Christ child readership is diverse and wide ranging but united in to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, be our gift this Christmastide. their interest in the RFA and our activities. So I offer no who is the Messiah, the Lord. corporate message, but a round up of our people ships and our activities from my perspective. I have visited ten of our sixteen ships, with plans to FROM COMMODORE BOB THORNTON RFA (RTD.) visit another two before Christmas. I found a very ay I take this opportunity to convey my sincere imagine. I suspect these jobs will last for many years to professional team working hard, operationally Mthanks for all of the kind words and gifts that I come; especially if I keep walking out to Dodman Point focussed, committed to their various tasks and loyal to received on my retirement at the end of September. to see what is going on in the FOST areas. their ships and colleagues. The relationship between Many people told me that I would soon be asking I have thoroughly enjoyed my 5 years as our seagoing team and HQ staff is an area which I feel myself how I found the time to go to work and it should Commodore and the 39 years since I first joined the we can improve on and I look forward to developing come as no surprise to learn that it is true! (No, I’m not RFA, albeit with a brief spell “outside” just to reinforce this in the future. At the core is exasperation at the talking to myself...yet!) my opinion that we really are good at what we do. I much delayed pay round and in Portsmouth we are After several farewell events, including a remain an enthusiastic supporter and advocate of the doing all we can to accelerate the process. By the time magnificent dining out in HMS EXCELLENT, I Service, which means all of you, whether afloat or this is on the streets I hope we will have made returned home to enjoy a party with family and friends ashore, and the pivotal tasks that you undertake. substantial progress. here in Cornwall. Unpacking and sorting uniform was I want to offer a heartfelt and sincere thank you to This year has been significant operationally. We the prelude to repacking for a splendid holiday in each and every one of you, for your support and are used to operating worldwide as supporting cast, northern Italy and the southern Tyrol.