A transit on a drill ship at sea is not ordinarily where you would expect to be fine dining, but so far on the JOIDES Resolution, the culinary delights keep coming! Around the clock, the School of Rockers and rest of the crew are treated to a huge variety of menu items, specifically designed to nourish and satisfy all tastes and appetites. Each day’s dinner menu includes three different entrees, often featuring a variety of proteins, and always including fish. If we miss the meal time frames (5-7 am, 11-1 pm, and 5-7 pm) it’s still possible to eat from a “self-serve” menu consisting of soups, baked goods, and a variety of cheeses and fruit.

Each morning, breakfast in the ship’s Mess Hall consists of eggs (prepared to your liking), home fries, beans, bacon, sausage, fruit, cereal, (the best part) leftovers and additional entrees for the folks coming off of night shift. The galley chefs make a special effort to accommodate allergies as well as celebrate different cultures. Since I’ve been on board, some of the highlights have included “Cullen Skink” (flaked smoked fish in broth with potatoes and onions, cooked in milk), Cajun spiced pork, and chocolate lava cake with breakfast! Fortunately there is a gym, space to walk on the helipad, and yoga classes on board, not to mention the countless and steep steps one climbs many times in one day. If this were not the case, my calorie counts would be hugely increased! Each day, two soups are featured, such Three Bean (Western Soup of the Day), and Chicken Lemongrass (Asian Soup of the day). Last evening, to celebrate our equatorial crossing, we were treated to a wonderful banquet, including sushi, Beef Wellington, carved garnishes, and beautiful bread sculptures. Most Sundays are Barbecue days, and all assemble on deck and enjoy some home style foods- sweet corn, burgers, grilled tuna, potato salads, and all the fixins! Besides the food, it has been a really nice way for the Rockers to chill, spend time with crew members, and to be grateful for this incredible opportunity.   Guest Blogger, Dori Read of Scituate, Massachusetts signing off!