With the arrival of a new look on Well Spiced Life and the first blogpost in a long, long time, Chef T is back in time to announce her departure…out to sea. Hi everybody! This post marks the start of a sixty-plus day trip at sea and as I re-launch my blog, I thought I would take you along for the ride.
At the end of last year, I accepted a full-time position as the marine chef on the Point Sur, a 136 ft. marine research vessel. This past year has been filled with travel and adventure and lots of cooking. Basically, we are a charter boat for scientists. Each trip has us supporting operations for a different group of scientists which leads to a nice variety of locales and the great perk of learning. As I look back on becoming a marine chef, sometimes I wonder how it all happened.
Now I have to admit that I have no nautical background. I didn’t grow up with any sort of mariner in the family who passed along a love of water. As a child my most nautical experience included a net and a pond and the acquisition of tadpoles that I thought I could give a better life and end up raising frogs as pets. I didn’t learn much about water but I now know frogs simply grow up and hop away.
My job is to deliver three meals a day to the crew and science party and make sure all basic amenities are available during the cruise. We are heading out for over sixty days on a trip that will take us up the Pacific Coast, into the Inside Passage of Alaska, through the Aleutian Islands and up into the Bering Sea.
As you can imagine, my freezer and walk-in are packed! We are into day six and I am waiting for internet access to get this post out. I will update you as often as possible and include some stories and pictures and of course, sample menus and recipes. Wish me luck and following seas!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey. The pants probably make you cook better, ‘huh? I even thought the salad picture looked yummy…how do you do that? Just wanted to let you know, the kids actually tried chicken flautas the other night because of you…”Tara said ‘you’ll never know when a taste explosion is going to come!’” So, they both tried them. Though neither liked them, it made me glad you could inspire even the worst of eaters!
Hi Tara,
Subscribing to your feed so I can follow along on your high seas journey.
Love that you are not part of the 9 to 5 ratrace. More like a 12/7 shark swim! Enjoy your trip and I will enjoy following along!
Hi Tara,
I miss you already. I send you wishes for many fine meals during your journey. I will be watching from afar. Hugs to the crew. Be safe. See you in August.
Now that just warms my heart. I will be back to Portland in the Fall to take the kiddos on some more culinary adventures!