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Participant Interview:
June-July 2000
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NeMO Date: July 12, 2000
Ship's Location: 45 54.8'N/129 59.0'W

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Participant Interview:
Pablito Santos "Lito"
Chief Steward
NOAA Ship Ron Brown

Jeff: How long have you been cooking on the Brown?
Pablito: A little over two years now. I started here as the 2nd cook. At first they kind of doubted me but they eventually realized my capability of doing things. When the chief steward retired I took over. We travel about 280 days a year so he wanted to be closer to his family.

Jeff: Where did you work before NOAA?
Pablito: I spent 30 years in the Navy as a cook. I've run small ships with 350 crew members, to a large aircraft carrier with about 6,500 crew members. There were about 300 cooks on the aircraft carrier. I ran eight mess areas (dining halls) on that ship. It was pretty exciting. You have to be on your feet most of the time because you can't afford any mistakes. It was a big operation. I ran a 42-day cycle menu, meaning meals won't be repeated for 42 days. To have a menu like that, to be effective, you have to plan very well. I retired about 12 years ago from the Navy and am eligible to retire here already. I might just finish this season (until October). Then I'll just go to Casinos and play slot machines all day. Just kidding. I've got 5 grandchildren so they'll probably keep me busy.

Jeff: How do you compare cooking for the Navy with cooking for NOAA?
Pablito: The Brown is really easy. In the Navy I didn't have much money to work with. It's hard to cook good food when you don't have any money. Here, I get a larger allowance. In order to be successful here, I rely on Karen Bailey and Jim Scott to help me. It's a team effort.

Jeff: What's the most popular dish you serve?
Pablito: Besides the burgers, they like the oriental food. The big challenge here is the vegetarians. It's kind of hard for me because I can only put so much non-meat dishes out. It takes some planning.

Jeff: My last and most important question: Will the canned coffee last until Victoria?
Pablito: Probably not. (Jeff Gasps for breath) I've got one can left. This is the first time I've ever run out of coffee, either in the Navy or here. I was just caught off guard. It seems like, on this cruise and the last one, people are drinking more coffee. That's why I just sent out an order for 250 pounds of beans. Hopefully, it will be in Victoria upon arrival.

 


Lito cooks up the meals on the Ron Brown.