The kitchen team this year is Arvid, Justin and myself, Jordan. We all love working in Antarctica and are enjoying this season here at Casey.
Let me tell you a little more about the team.
Arvid was born in the Netherlands, moving to Australia years ago, and he and his family now call Tasmania home. Arvid has cooked around the world and this is his third summer in Antarctica (his first was at Davis and this is his second at Casey).
Justin was born in New Zealand, he also moved to Australia years ago and he and his family live in Northern NSW. Justin has also worked around the world and this is his fifth time to the Icy Continent. He has done winters at Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island, as well as a summer at Scott Base (the Kiwi station).
I am from Sydney (planning on moving to Tassie) and have also cooked around the world, this is my fourth summer at Casey. However this year I will be waving off the summerers from the runway, as I am staying for my first winter!
As you can see we are a fairly seasoned bunch (however we are always learning, especially from each other) and our main objective is to keep the station fed and happy. We try to keep the meals varied and interesting, nutritionally sound and without using up all the stock (as it has to last for 12 months).
Apart from the daily breakfast, smoko, lunch and dinner, we also make birthday cakes, formal dinners, theme nights, Sunday brunches, the Christmas feast and co-ordinate our very talented team members that cook our bbq’s :)
We also have many people who help us in their spare time: peeling, slicing, making cakes and cookies and also learning the art of making bread etc. Without all the amazing people that come in to assist (Sean, Dean, Anne and Tanya to name the mainstays, as well as so many others…), the kitchen wouldn’t be functioning as well as it is, so thank you!
Jordan Smith