It is commonly known to those who spend their lives in frozen climates that food is the first layer of defense against the cold. For those of us who get to call Antarctica home for a brief, or not so brief period, we are blessed with amazing chefs that fulfill even the fussiest eaters’ culinary desires. While a typical dinner on station includes two main choices and a large selection of delicious and healthy vegetables, it is the desserts that grab the attention of a few hearty expeditioners. After a hard day of working outside in -30°C and experiencing wind chill that even an emperor penguin would describe as crisp, a dessert of cheesecake and ice cream would not be the first thing that most people would crave. But after a delicious main of roast, stuffed chicken breast or polenta stack, a heavenly dessert is what is called for by some of us. One of those among us even take these after dinner treats to the next level, adding some extra flair to a delicious baked cheesecake or apple pie. A bit of grated chocolate here, a swirl of strawberry topping there and a serving of ice cream makes the desserts Instagram worthy. And luckily, if the dessert decorator is not feeling up to the task, a helpful colleague is always willing to consume said dessert.
Steve*
*Much like infamous street artist Banksy, the true identity of the "Steve" has never been confirmed, rumours and accusations have run wild over the years and some say he has hidden amoungst the rocky hills and snowscapes of Antarctica between voyages to remain on the icy continent. Leaving only his spectacular dessert creations as a telltale sign that he is out there, somewhere, pondering his next creation....
