Catering for a multi-cultural crew - catering for galley staff
Any foreign vessel can be both challenging and exciting to be part of a catering team onboard. Different parts of the world have different political situations, and each country is proud to have its own culture and food culture. Food culture is developing and is often based on religious backgrounds and climate.
All crew must treat other crew members with the highest amount of respect at all times, and this applies especially to the catering crew.
Catering crew must ensure that the food provided on board is suitable for all. As a Chief Cook one need to provide crew with the kind of food they are used to eating at home and is considered as “normal” to them.
It might be challenging at times since not all ingredients are always available. Sound background knowledge of crew's cultures will help a chief cook prepare "traditional" dishes for different food cultures.
Catering crew must show an interest in developing their skills. Getting direct feedback from the crew and officers of different nationalities is the best way to enhance your personal knowledge and job experience.
Balanced diet for multi-cultural crew
Halal :
"Halal" is an Arabic word meaning "lawful" or "permissible". The term covers not only food and drink but also all matters of daily life.
When it comes to halal food, most people think of meat foods. However, Muslims must ensure that all foods, such as processed foods, are also halal. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products or other ingredients that are not permissible for Muslims.
Most food and drinks are considered Halal unless they are stated clearly in the Quran (Holy book of Islam) and Hadith (Prophetic sayings) as forbidden or non-Halal.
Halal food must be completely segregated from any non-Halal food and/or Najis items.
A portion of food will change its status from being Halal to non-Halal should it come into contact with any known non-Halal and/or najis substances. Extra effort has to be taken to ensure that Halal food is always labeled as such and kept in a secure place to prevent possible chances of contamination.
The concept of Halal food is incomplete without coupling it with aspects of hygiene and nutrition. From a holistic perspective, food must be Halal, safe for human consumption and must deliver a high nutritional value.
Haraam : Means forbidden.
A variety of substances are considered as harmful (haraam) for humans to consume and, therefore, forbidden as per various Quranic verses:
Pork
Blood
Animals slaughtered in the name of anyone but "Allah"
Carrion (carcasses of dead animals)
Food over which Allah's name is not pronounced
Dog
Part or by-product of human body
Carnivorous animals
Birds with talons or birds that feed by snatching and tearing
Reptiles and insects
Animals which are generally considered as repulsive such as lice, maggots, mice, rats and spiders
Any marine animals except fish
Animals that live on land and in water (amphibians) like frogs and crocodiles.
Animals which have died, by any means other than slaughtering according to the Islamic Law.
Wine, Ethyl Alcohol or Spirits
Intoxicating and hazardous plants
And any food products contaminated with any of the above.
Holidays onboard and Recommendations for ship staff
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