Australian Chef Exchange USS Nimitz |
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| Senior officers from the USS Nimitz and their wives were treated to a sumptuous feast last Saturday night at a dinner hosted by Rydges Perth General Manager, Mr David Bornmann and the Australian Hotels Association (WA). | ||||||||
Executive Chef at Rydges was set to fly out to the ship two days earlier to participate in the Chef’s Exchange Program, and prepare an "aussie" lunch for the Admiral and senior officers. However due to inclement weather, this was unfortunately cancelled. 
Over the weekend, Culinary Specialists from the USS Nimitz were able to get a taste of working in an "aussie" kitchen though. They assisted Chef Hatfield in preparing the VIP dinner at Rydges, as well as a wedding reception, which was being held simultaneously in one of the function rooms at the hotel. Before the dinner, guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in the CBD bar, and officers were officially welcomed to Perth by Mr Bornmann and AHA General Manager, Paul Brockschlager. After exchanges of gifts, which included some original aboriginal art, guests moved outside to enjoy Perth’s al fresco dining. 
The menu featured the best of Western Australian Seafood, including squid stuffed with oxtail, prosciutto wrapped scallops, shrimp and snapper, as well as prime beef fillet and lamb. Desert was either a chocolate pudding or crème brulee, followed by a fine selection of WA cheeses. All dishes were complemented by some outstanding WA chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. The night was topped off with cognac, bourbon and Cohiba cigars. The AHA wishes the USS Nimitz safe passage as she heads to Brisbane, Sydney and further a field, and we look forward to hosting your ship and other members of the US Seventh Fleet in the near future. By Mark Bell Australian Hotels Association (WA) |
The Western Australian hotel, hospitality and tourism industry look forward to the pleasure of hosting over 5000 US sailors who have arrived today in Fremantle on the USS Nimitz.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) said today that in addition to providing a boost to tourism and the WA economy, the arrival of the USS Nimitz also provides the opportunity for one local chef and members of the USS Nimitz chefs brigade to participate in the Chefs Exchange Program. "The AHA is proud the Rydges Perth Hotel is seizing this opportunity to participate in the Chefs Exchange Program which will provide their Executive Chef Brad Hatfield with an opportunity to swap jobs for a day with military chefs from the USS Nimitz," said AHA General Manager Paul Brockschlager. "This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will enable Mr Hatfield to share kitchen and cooking techniques with chefs from the USS Nimitz while exchanging new and innovative ways to create culinary experiences," Mr Brockschlager said. Over a hundred well respected restaurants, hotels and resorts from Australia, New Zealand, America, Belgium, Japan, Bahrain, Canada, Singapore, Norway, Korea and Guam have participated in the Chef and Cooks Exchange Program during its nine year history, including the Hyatt Regency Perth, Rendezvous Observation City and this year the Rydges Perth Hotel. The AHA commends Chefs Exchange Program Coordinator Petty Officer Paul Graham, US Seventh Fleet Representative Lieutenant Commander Philippe Francois, Rydges Perth Hotel General Manager David Bornmann and the efforts of everyone involved in organising this important program. |
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