Cooks put new Mobile Kitchen to Test
Army News Service | Sfc. Derrick A. Witherspoon | August 01, 2006
Novo Selo, Bulgaria - Coming together to support Immediate Response 2006, Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Army Reserve
Command received the opportunity to put their cooking skills to the test on the Army’s new Containerized Kitchen.
Army Reserve Soldiers from the 464th and 454th Replacement Companies provided American, Bulgarian, and Romanian Soldiers,
along with civilian personnel, with essential food support at Novo Selo Training Area during Immediate Response 2006 in July. The
food service specialists used the new Containerized Kitchen to provide the Soldiers and civilians with two hot meals and one Meal
Ready to Eat each day of the exercise. For many Soldiers, this was their first time working in the Containerized Kitchen.
“What the Army Reserve Soldiers were working on is the new Containerized Kitchen, which has replaced the Mobile Kitchen
Trailer,” said Staff Sgt. Deundra L. Germany, an active duty food specialist assigned to assist the Army Reserve Soldiers. “It has air
conditioning in it so the cooks don’t get too hot. It also has a refrigeration unit, an oven and a lot more space for the cooks and
customers to move around.”
Germany, who is a member of the 1st Armored Division Support Command, said the old MKT only allowed food service specialists
to serve approximately 300 people, but the Containerized Kitchen allows them to serve approximately 750 people.
Spc. Terrell K. Morris, a food service specialist with the 454th Replacement Company, said this was his first time working with the
Containerized Kitchen.
“I’m used to working in the old MKT,” said Morris. “I actually like the old MKT better because everything in the new Containerized a
noise you pretty much knew what it was and could fix it right away. I’m kind of stuck in the old days a little bit.”
a noise you pretty much knew what it was and could fix it right away. I’m kind of stuck in the old days a little bit.”
Morris said although it’s taking him a little time to get accustomed to the new Containerized Kitchen, he still thinks it’s a good kitchen
to work out from.
The Army Reserve Soldiers served approximately 800 American, Bulgarian, Romanian and civilian personnel from the
Containerized Kitchen at Novo Selo Training Area.
“We provided them with one hot meal in the morning, an MRE for lunch and one hot meal in the afternoon,” said Sgt. 1st Class
John C. Smalls, noncommissioned officer in charge of the dinning facility.
Smalls, who is also a member of the 464th Replacement Company, said their hours of operation in the Containerized Kitchen made
their days supporting Immediate Response quite long.
“We sometimes came in about three in the morning and we usually ended the day around nine at night and then we were back up
to do it all again the next day,” said Smalls. “But, we didn’t mind. Our main goal was to make sure the Soldiers were fed. If they were
happy, then we knew we were doing a good job.”
Lt. Col. Thomas A. Ball, commander of the 309th Rear Area Operations Center, said the food he received from the Army Reserve
Soldiers was some of the best he’s had in the field in 25 years.
“I started out 25 years ago under a shelter half for about the first 18 months I was in the Army,” said Ball. “High-speed chow was
taking C-Rations and warming them on the exhaust manifold. I’ve had all types of food in the field, but I’ve never had food this
good. This was world class chow.”
Sgt. Clyde S. Shipp of Charley Company, 123rd Main Support Battalion, out of Dexheim, Germany, said he also enjoyed the food
served from the Containerized Kitchen.
“The food was great,” said Shipp. “The cooks were greatly appreciated here. They came out and they busted their humps getting
this food prepared for us. Sometimes Soldiers don’t appreciate the job the cooks do, but they don’t realize the hard work they put
into coming to another country and giving us a taste of America.”
“The food was good, but you know, we’re not so familiar with the taste of American food,” said Maj. Kuncho Stoichev, chief
inspector of the Bulgarian Military Police. “We have slightly different taste in food because of the way we prepare our food, but if
you are a Soldier and need something to eat, this is a great place to get it. Everything was good.”
Germany said he was impressed with the overall job performed by the Army Reserve Soldiers.
“This is my first time working with the Army Reserve and I’m glad I had the opportunity to work with them,” said Germany. “Not only
did they do a great job setting up and operating the new Containerized Kitchen, but they also worked really well as a team to
accomplish the mission.”
Smalls said he wants his Soldiers to take what they have learned during Immediate Response 2006 and pass it along to the other
Soldiers in their units.
“My Soldiers did a really good job,” said Smalls. “We’re all from different units, but we’re all one big family here. Reserve and active,
there’s no difference. We all wear the same uniform and we came here to support, train, and gain knowledge and take it all back.”
Wrapping up their time at Novo Selo Training Area, the food service specialists said they enjoyed the opportunity to share some
camaraderie with the Bulgarian and Romanian Soldiers. They added that most of all they enjoyed the opportunity to get some
hands on training with the new Containerized Kitchen.
Copyright 2006 Army News Service. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of
Military.com.
Army News Service | Sfc. Derrick A. Witherspoon | August 01, 2006
Novo Selo, Bulgaria - Coming together to support Immediate Response 2006, Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Army Reserve
Command received the opportunity to put their cooking skills to the test on the Army’s new Containerized Kitchen.
Army Reserve Soldiers from the 464th and 454th Replacement Companies provided American, Bulgarian, and Romanian Soldiers,
along with civilian personnel, with essential food support at Novo Selo Training Area during Immediate Response 2006 in July. The
food service specialists used the new Containerized Kitchen to provide the Soldiers and civilians with two hot meals and one Meal
Ready to Eat each day of the exercise. For many Soldiers, this was their first time working in the Containerized Kitchen.
“What the Army Reserve Soldiers were working on is the new Containerized Kitchen, which has replaced the Mobile Kitchen
Trailer,” said Staff Sgt. Deundra L. Germany, an active duty food specialist assigned to assist the Army Reserve Soldiers. “It has air
conditioning in it so the cooks don’t get too hot. It also has a refrigeration unit, an oven and a lot more space for the cooks and
customers to move around.”
Germany, who is a member of the 1st Armored Division Support Command, said the old MKT only allowed food service specialists
to serve approximately 300 people, but the Containerized Kitchen allows them to serve approximately 750 people.
Spc. Terrell K. Morris, a food service specialist with the 454th Replacement Company, said this was his first time working with the
Containerized Kitchen.
“I’m used to working in the old MKT,” said Morris. “I actually like the old MKT better because everything in the new Containerized a
noise you pretty much knew what it was and could fix it right away. I’m kind of stuck in the old days a little bit.”
a noise you pretty much knew what it was and could fix it right away. I’m kind of stuck in the old days a little bit.”
Morris said although it’s taking him a little time to get accustomed to the new Containerized Kitchen, he still thinks it’s a good kitchen
to work out from.
The Army Reserve Soldiers served approximately 800 American, Bulgarian, Romanian and civilian personnel from the
Containerized Kitchen at Novo Selo Training Area.
“We provided them with one hot meal in the morning, an MRE for lunch and one hot meal in the afternoon,” said Sgt. 1st Class
John C. Smalls, noncommissioned officer in charge of the dinning facility.
Smalls, who is also a member of the 464th Replacement Company, said their hours of operation in the Containerized Kitchen made
their days supporting Immediate Response quite long.
“We sometimes came in about three in the morning and we usually ended the day around nine at night and then we were back up
to do it all again the next day,” said Smalls. “But, we didn’t mind. Our main goal was to make sure the Soldiers were fed. If they were
happy, then we knew we were doing a good job.”
Lt. Col. Thomas A. Ball, commander of the 309th Rear Area Operations Center, said the food he received from the Army Reserve
Soldiers was some of the best he’s had in the field in 25 years.
“I started out 25 years ago under a shelter half for about the first 18 months I was in the Army,” said Ball. “High-speed chow was
taking C-Rations and warming them on the exhaust manifold. I’ve had all types of food in the field, but I’ve never had food this
good. This was world class chow.”
Sgt. Clyde S. Shipp of Charley Company, 123rd Main Support Battalion, out of Dexheim, Germany, said he also enjoyed the food
served from the Containerized Kitchen.
“The food was great,” said Shipp. “The cooks were greatly appreciated here. They came out and they busted their humps getting
this food prepared for us. Sometimes Soldiers don’t appreciate the job the cooks do, but they don’t realize the hard work they put
into coming to another country and giving us a taste of America.”
“The food was good, but you know, we’re not so familiar with the taste of American food,” said Maj. Kuncho Stoichev, chief
inspector of the Bulgarian Military Police. “We have slightly different taste in food because of the way we prepare our food, but if
you are a Soldier and need something to eat, this is a great place to get it. Everything was good.”
Germany said he was impressed with the overall job performed by the Army Reserve Soldiers.
“This is my first time working with the Army Reserve and I’m glad I had the opportunity to work with them,” said Germany. “Not only
did they do a great job setting up and operating the new Containerized Kitchen, but they also worked really well as a team to
accomplish the mission.”
Smalls said he wants his Soldiers to take what they have learned during Immediate Response 2006 and pass it along to the other
Soldiers in their units.
“My Soldiers did a really good job,” said Smalls. “We’re all from different units, but we’re all one big family here. Reserve and active,
there’s no difference. We all wear the same uniform and we came here to support, train, and gain knowledge and take it all back.”
Wrapping up their time at Novo Selo Training Area, the food service specialists said they enjoyed the opportunity to share some
camaraderie with the Bulgarian and Romanian Soldiers. They added that most of all they enjoyed the opportunity to get some
hands on training with the new Containerized Kitchen.
Copyright 2006 Army News Service. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of
Military.com.
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