Topic: What's the food like?

[kratz]

I'm more concerned about soup and that it is hot.

[Rheostatic]

In my experience, "vegetarian" meals in CF messes seem to contain a surprising amount of fish, eggs, and (in one hilariously sad instance) bacon bits.

[Shamrock]

I should like to point out, the cooks in the CF are quite often top notch and produce amazing meals given the constraints of quantity of diners and dietary needs of pre-set meals.  Their skills don't often shine during normal meal hours, but for smaller functions, such as mess dinners or private bookings, the meals are amazing and very affordable. 

[Pegcity]

Your folks probably didn't take into account the cost of their time to go and get the food, the time to prepare it, the fuel to cook it, the lights they needed to prepare it, the cost to wash the dishes, the cost of replacing dishes, their own medical insurance plans, etc.  The cost of rations in a CF mess is not just about the food itself.  If you think you're paying too much, move out of quarters and buy your own food, store it, prepare it and pay all the other bills that enable you to "save" money.

425 dollars for food and board at basic seems reasonable, you could spend that amount on food alone in a month.

[Nauticus]

Thanks for the contributions.
Well it’s good to hear that a finger just isn’t pointed towards the salad bar and that efforts are made.  If that’s the case (only medically related dietary options protected by regulation) then I would definitely imagine there would be (has to be) many options/dishes (aside from just salad) that would be offered that are low fat (cholesterol) and low-sodium (blood pressure) as there are many people out there (many in the military too I’m sure) who suffer from conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, to name a few.    I don’t think anybody is expecting to have “Mom’s home cooking” or “Grandma’s ‘Sicilian style’ tomato sauce” and that one must be reasonable, but it is clear, beyond a doubt, that the ‘typical’ north American diet is responsible for many health problems in our society.  The link between good food and good health is undeniable.  If the CF doesn’t promote that concept, and encourage healthy eating habits, who will?  "Leadership" is an all-encompassing term that covers more than just bravery in combat.  The CF can be so much more than just a defense force.  It can be an organization that inspires young Canadians to lead active, healthy, and responsible lifestyles.


That’s great about the standard on ships being kept high.  I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the cooks are the most appreciated/loved people onboard.

Thanks.

Yes. As I stated in my previous post, the CF does offer different options for food, healthy and unhealthy alternatives. During basic, all members get introduced to a class that educates what kind of meals are best for post-fitness activities, but it relies on the member to follow up on that and actually choose the best meal option.

[Brutus]

In my experience, "vegetarian" meals in CF messes seem to contain a surprising amount of fish, eggs, and (in one hilariously sad instance) bacon bits.

Almost all bacon bits are made of soy.

[armychick2009]

I've been eating at the mess now for 2 weeks... only one meal was too salty (but I don't normally eat salt so, maybe it wasn't too bad for others).... and the rest were pretty good. If you like to eat just 'plain' food, so far I haven't had much of a problem. There's usually "something" to eat if you don't feel like something saucy or whatever. I'm eating about four or five times the amount of food I normally do and I've lost 10 pounds so far in the two weeks.

There's generally two lines.... the right and the left. The left tends to be less processed foods from what I can tell and the right has a bit more of a 'regular' style of menu -- pizza, french fries occassionally and most of the pasta is on that side. Both sides usually have the cooked veggies... and there is a ton of raw stuff you can sink your teeth into.

I normally head for the left line because it's usually the one with less people and sometimes you don't have much time to sit and wait. I'm not that much of a picky eater -- other than that I try to eat the unprocessed stuff when I can.

My one complaint is that they give you too much food in the lines and I can't eat it all. I've tried asking for just half of the amount but usually it is still a big scoop. One friend of mine got in trouble by the lady at the dirty dish line for taking too much. She tried to explain she DID ask for less amounts but they just heap it on there anyways.  We might be able to cut that $500 & some ration bill if we had slightly smaller portions

[aesop081]

We might be able to cut that $500 & some ration bill if we had slightly smaller portions

One person complains theres too much, the other that theres not enough. At least, if theres more than you need, you have the option of not eating it. Not going to make everyone happy.

[VIChris]

The omelet with salsa

It's pronounced 'smoker's lung'.

You're right though, for the most part, the IMPs are pretty decent. While I've only had a short exposure to them, I think the issue with IMPs is that it's always the same. They're all fairly good, but I would imagine for the guys eating them day in, day out, it gets to be very repetitive.

[milnews.ca]

As an aside, feel free to compare/contrast ration meals (including Canadian) from a range of countries at the NY Times photo feature here:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/04/weekinreview/20100905_gilbertson.html

[armychick2009]

One person complains theres too much, the other that theres not enough. At least, if theres more than you need, you have the option of not eating it. Not going to make everyone happy.

That's so very true, isn't it???  I'm sure the scoops are the recommended portion sizes but - that being said, they're always allowed going back for seconds!

The girl I gave a ride home to the other day, was WAY too excited about the food. She went on and on and on about what she ate the past three days and says she has NEVER ate this well! She is actually looking forward to the next meal, if that is any indicator to others about how the food is  

[aesop081]

that being said, they're always allowed going back for seconds!

Going through basic, we never had more than a few minutes to "inhale" a meal so going back for seconds was not realy an option. Pile it on the plate, stuff it down, enjoy the taste later.

[CanadianTire]

Inhale...    My section had 45 minutes or less to make most of 4-litre jug of milk disappear.

[PuckChaser]

As an aside, feel free to compare/contrast ration meals (including Canadian) from a range of countries at the NY Times photo feature here:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/09/04/weekinreview/20100905_gilbertson.html

Mmmmmm, they have MRE Pork Rib.... so tasty. That British ration though.... looks just completely awful. I guess that's why everything is in foil bags. Close your eyes and eat.

[HavokFour]

Might as well post this again.

Delicious, eh?

[Pusser]

I find the Brits usually do a very good curry.  Their hayboxes leave a bit to be desired though:  chips with everything and "Oh, sausages.  It must be Tuesday."

[123nil456]

the German one has cookies and Nutella 

[0tto Destruct]

The dutch rations are pretty good. They do the 24-hour ration box, with one main meal and a variety of wet cat food tins and crackers with other goodies (dextrose tablets anyone?). I used to know one of the Dutch Div Comd CPP guys in Bosnia who was nuts about IMPs, so we traded a few times.

After having sampled culinary delights from a number military kitchens, IMO Canadian cooks are definately the best. Give one of our cooks a flying kitchen and a bunch of hungry troops, and they will work wonders.

[Nerf herder]

Love the German Mess. Mind you if you're not open to try new things you'll be visiting McD's or Burger King often.

Regards

[0tto Destruct]

As much as I live German beer, they only thing they do better is their bread.

...and saurbraten
...and schweinhaxe
...and spaetzle


...anyone else hungry? 

[acooper]

Keep it up with the German food thing, and you'll have me crossing the border to go to Frankenmuth, MI or possibly Metzger's (outside of Ann Arbor, MI), or heck, my grandfather's place, just to get some yummy German food...

[0tto Destruct]

I'm not quite the Baden/Lahr vintage, but I did spend a lot of time working with with 1GNC and the EUBG as a contractor with colleagues who were...they taught me well. 

[George Wallace]

As much as I live German beer, they only thing they do better is their bread.

...and saurbraten
...and schweinhaxe
...and spaetzle


...anyone else hungry? 

What about wurst salad and flamekuchen?

And Mint tea at breakfast (In the Mess).

Autobahn coffee.

[0tto Destruct]

Well George, now I have an excuse to go back.

Danke, mein Intelligenzvetter!

[Nerf herder]

Don't forget about Bratkartoffeln , currywurst....the of course Weisse Biere, Schnapps....

Regards