Peaking inside the industrial kitchens cooking 80,000 meals for the troops

Dozens of international chefs worked in industrial kitchens at the Royal Australian Air Force Airmen's Mess in Darwin, preparing an estimated 80,000 meals for Exercise Pitch Black, Australia's largest aviation combat training activity. The exercise, held in Northern Australia over three weeks, supported more than 2,500 military personnel from 21 nations.

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It's very important obviously with religion, [and] dietary requirements come into play, so we have to make a lot of different meals to kind of provide for that.

A team of over 80 military cooks from countries including Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the United Kingdom served approximately 3,600 dishes daily. Typically, participants could choose from options like goat, lamb, pork, beef, and two vegetarian dishes. New Zealand Army Private Liam Mischefski noted the chefs' efforts to vary the menu, which ranged from curry to pasta, to keep meals interesting for crews participating for extended periods.

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With people spending so much time away from home, it's good for them to have a meal that kind of reminds them of where they came from and help them acclimatise to where they are.

Private Mischefski highlighted the importance of catering to diverse dietary and religious requirements, stating, "It's very important obviously with religion, [and] dietary requirements come into play, so we have to make a lot of different meals to kind of provide for that." He added that familiar meals can help troops feel more connected to home. Working with international chefs also allowed him to learn new cooking techniques and recipes.

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I've learnt different ways to make rice, I've learnt how the Australian mess operates, how they might cook their steaks, for example, and just the different degrees we cook our meats to.

While nutritional meals are crucial, "fat boy Fridays" proved popular, with more personnel attending when fried food and steaks were offered. Although local produce like barramundi was featured, staples such as Vegemite were notably absent. Canadian Armed Forces Corporal Alex Bernier mentioned enjoying sharing familiar desserts from home, like Nanaimo bars and sugar tarts, alongside trying new ones.

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We had a chance to do Nanaimo bars, sugar tarts, [but] u