24 Hours as a Navy Ship Line Cook - A Frank Experience 

That kitchen crew was SOO tolerant of "random RU-vid guy & film crew." Sweet.

The guy flipping burgers is the classic navy meme incarnated; "they told me I would get to see the world, so far what I've seen is a grill"

I can honestly say that when I was in the Air Force, I never had what I would consider a bad meal. Thanks to the cooks.

This was my mom's life before she passed away. Cooking on the gigantic USS Kitty Hawk for hundreds of hungry sailors.

Everybody’s gangsta until the cooks walk in with their soulless eyes. 😂😂

How much do you cut? ... 600lbs... “Mind if I jump and and slice some?” Deli slicer : YES N!GGA PLEASE

They looked hella done when he was asking for that clean towel 😭😂

That Asian kid was being real. Small town, travel, and he loves to cook.

You could tell everybody was looking at him like less talking more cooking lol

I'm a cook in the navy, dont let this video fool you...we're all damaged inside

Kudos to the gentleman who has been in for 32yrs. Thanks for your service.

From what my buddy told me when he was in the Air Force, the food in the military is insanely good. He described his meals as though he was eating at a five star hotel or a better version of Texas Roadhouse. He also said that without the amazing cooks and food, morale would drop through the roof and people would be absolutely miserable.

I was a cook for 10 years in the Navy and first I want to say that it is unlikely you would see a master Chief or a First class working in the galley. The backbone of the galley is E5 or below. this is hard work and it takes a real toll on your body and mind.

If anybody ever asks you on the street why military cooks are among the most respected members of of any military branch of service worldwide you show them this video, because this is exactly why they all deserve and get respect. Great video

Having grown up in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, and being 18 years old when 9/11 happened then serving 11 years in the US Army following the tragedy, it warms my heart to see all of the different NYC memorabilia decorating USS New York. I especially loved seeing the ship enter NYC when it was below the Verrazzano Bridge where I used to bike and walk all the time when I was younger. Thank you all for your service.

I spent 3 months as a food service assistant on the USS Gravely back in 2015. Most people on the ship regardless of your job will rotate through and help out at some point. Anyways, it Was actually a great experience to do that. I did well so they sent me up to the Officers Wardroom kitchen. Got special privileges to cook my own food, special cakes/cookies. Better food kind of overall actually. Plus they had Dunken Donuts coffee up there as the regular crew had Maxwell house. Awesome 3 months.

Still better than 60 percent of school lunches

Love the Navy, built ships for them for over 36 years.

My buddy Jimmy was a navy cook on the Enterprise back in the early 80s. He would love to have watched this with me and tell me everything thats going on. RIP Jimmy

12 years so far as a Navy CS and I absolutely love this!!! The job is far from easy, and I’m so glad it was highlighted!

Props to you Frank. The cooking staff on our Navy ships and in military mess halls are frequently overlooked, underappreciated.

I don’t think Marines sleep. If they do, they do it while cooking breakfast apparently.

Served 26 years in the Navy and retired in 2016 as a Senior Chief. When I joined in 1990, our Culinary Specialists (CS's) were still known as Mess Specialists (MS's). Over the years there are a few groups of Sailors you always treat right and don't piss off - your medical staff, your pay staff, your IT staff and your food staff. Breakfast was ALWAYS the best meal of the day in the Navy and one I still miss to this day. Can't count the number of meals I ate over the years onboard ship or on base. It is amazing the great food that can be prepared for our Sailors with a limited budget, storage area and personnel. I can't remember a single day in my career that I ever went hungry or didn't get a meal. If you are impressed with The USS New York, you should try getting onboard an aircraft carrier and see the lengths those cooks go through to pump out 15-20 thousand meals, EVERY DAY! Simply amazing.

Did 3 years as a ranger in the swedish army. We didn’t have that many days per year were we would get hot food indoor, but I DO remember the few meals we got to have at a table, MAN that was like dining at a 5 star restaurant for us!! We all made sure to thank the staff in the kitchen every time and gave them our blessing. Eating outdoors is more a thing about getting as manu calories as you can in 24 hours….staying hydrated and warm. The last 12 months I was stationed in Bosnia at war time as a squad leader for a scout patrol team. Same here, EVERY time we got ta have a hot meal, bless the kitchen staff and show your respect! To them it’s work as usual, for some of us it was heaven…keep it up :)

Damn cook to order eggs for everyone in the ship? That's very hard.

The logistics of keeping that ship floating for even a week must be insane.

He said it’s like a coffin, hence why they are called coffin racks! Miss mine, slept like a baby

As an Army Veteran seeing you on the Naval Ship seeing the culinary aspect pretty cool. Some of the best meals I had was going to the mess hall in Germany after spending a time in Vietnam. Thanks for appreciating Veterans.

Told my Dad I was joining up in the early 70’s. The only advice he gave was, “you can join the army or marine Corp and die in a dirty foxhole, or join the Navy and eat 3 square meals a day and sleep in a clean rack”. Needless to say I went Navy and glad I did.

makes me proud to be a cook. it's an underappreciated job that takes skill and endurance. shout out to all the cooks out there.

I've been on some pretty nasty assignments where I had to eat in every branch of the military's chow halls and all I can say is Navy chow is the best for sure.

Being a former Paratrooper, the food in this video looked amazingly good and well prepared. I was always told, if you want good food in the military join the Navy. But kudos to all these amazing men and women and the long hours of work they put in for this country. The interview with the 18 year old proves what character building the military can do. Long hours of hard work, little or no recognition. I have a lot of respect for all of them. Good job Navy.

yooo that guys face at 9:49 when frank be askin for a towel

Navy lunch: fresh eggs and roast beef School lunch: cheese sandwich with chocolate milk

Bless you for this video! As a Marine it means a lot to me ... y'all fed us so well and kept us going.

I've met many service folks who told me the culinary specialists (cooks/chefs) are the most important crew on any ship or base.

"No onions and no cheese" "Right so thats everything" "Everything without onions and cheese"

His face when making those beans though. You could tell Frank wasn't into that condiment soup.

"This bunk is like a coffin"! Someone got into the military frame of mind quickly! Great show, excellent profile of the folks that make the mission possible. Institutional cooking, from Schools to ships, it's about covering the basics, and feeding your teammates proudly! I'm gonna try that beans recipe, how bad could it be?

Thank you for sharing this. The food looks good!!! I have two grandsons who are entering the Navy. I told them both, learn to work in a kitchen and to cook!!! Valuable life skills to know!!!!

I could tell Frank was not feeling those "Italian baked beans" 😅

Shout out to all my military cooks that put seasoning in their food... For my Air Force peeps you know it was grill cheese and Jesus on Sundays lol.

I am so glad they still do fleet week. I remember watching a movie with Frank Sinatra from the 1940s about fleet week. Total respect for our navy. And all our military.

9:48 That sailor was like: "bro, that ain't my job, my job here is to serve the food"

I like this Master Chief for real! He is a TRUE leader! I was in the navy for 4 years, 2004 to 2008 and the food people joke about, but when I had a really bad day, I mean stuck up on the flight deck, cold, soak, wore out, smelling like jet fuel and covered in Chain grease, my one little moment I enjoyed every day was coming down to the mess deck and getting my Omelet and talking to the CS's, they were always good guys and girls. They work their asses off and they keep the force going! I went army after navy and it's true for the cooks in the army as well. Good job you all and Thank you Master Chief if you read this for being you! I hope you have a great retirement! and to all the CS's and cooks, you all rock! Thank you for trying to keep us motivated with your food! personally, if anyone reads this from CVN 75 Truman mess crew from 2004 to 2008, Thanks you all for cooking our food but also joking with us while you all cooked! You all rocked, made me feel like I was at home at a waffle house joking with you all!

10/10 students say the food looks more appetizing than school food

He’s so nice and respectful! Love to see it

I was a firefighter for 23 years, and have now been in healthcare for 5 years. I legit have saved lives, but I gotta say THANK YOU to everyone who serves in the military, and everyone who works to feed the 8 billion people on this world. Whether you’re on a farm, in processing or transport, preparation, line cook, or server. You all work your butts off, and I respect that!

You can tell some of them are really out of it and sleepy. Pure respect for these men and women🇺🇸

Make friends with the cooks. Especially when you go to the DFAC at deployed locations. They had cheesecake in the back and no one knew lol

9:59 hit close to home. I see that no matter what kind of kitchen and where, the almighty side towel still reigns supreme. The side towel is everything.

My uncle was a navy sailor and my dad was a marine Corp Sargent fighting in Vietnam

RU-vid gettin greedy with these double adverts

My cousin is a cook on the USS John McCain - for breakfast on their ship you can get your eggs & toast how you specifically want them only from 5-6am. After that you get what they're serving.

Did many years on carriers as an Airedale. The MSs were / are the fking backbone of ops. I can’t express my appreciation for them enough.

One of the most if not the MOST important part of the military. I fixed Hornet and Harrier electronics in the Corps’. What made my day? Chow call. These guys and gals are simply fantastic. They do the impossible and make it work like clockwork. EVERY TIME. RESPECT!!

I worked in the chiefs mess as a LCpl. It was the first time I ever saw meat marked "Grade 'C' Beef" "for prison or military use only" Did you know they made that?? Our USMC chef actually made it taste good. Semper Fi 1995 - 2015

My dad was a navy cook during Vietnam. He joined because he was told he could have all the milk he could ever want. His arms were covered in scars from trays of bacon grease splashing him and pans burning him. He refused to ever cook again except maybe once a year he'd make a giant pot of oatmeal. He never did learn how to scale the portion size down.

I kept waiting for the announcement that he fell overboard. "Accidentally"

Just wanted to say the Navy cooks are awesome in this video! Keeping the Seamen and Marines fed and happy is one of the most important jobs in military! Thank you for your service to our country!

I was in the Navy, I lived for the chow line at sea!!!!! Away from the U.S. for six months at a time on Med runs. The food is everything! But don’t let the camera fool you, insult the kitchen cook or make a joke in line about the food. See what that gets you. Total regret! 🤨Ok!!!!😜

These sailors and Marines look like they want to throw him overboard the entire video...

I'm happy to see they get some good looking meals! Lots of respect and appreciation for the cooks that work long hard hours to get everyone fed! Everyone there thank you for your service 🙏

Whoever says a navy deployment is like a “free cruise” is lying to themselves and to others.

My dad was a Navy cook 2nd class in WWII, was at Okinawa from day 1 at a civilian internment camp, 10th Division Military Government 51st Portable Field Hospital. He was in three campaigns in the Pacific and he did cook us kids some weird stuff now and then. Six kids who mostly ate what ever he and my mother made. Sadly he passed in January of this year.

Everything tasted like Texas Pete or Tabasco when I was in the Navy.

What you experienced and what you saw, the teamwork, the dedication, the diversity, the education and the maturity of these young men and women is why I think every young person in the US should spend at least 2 years in military service. We have a great nation and so much potential in our young people. The military can and does bring out the best in both.

Always loved the Mess Specialists (now Culinary Specialists) of the Navy - both ashore and at sea. Nice to have civilians coming out to visit, and in this case LEARN.

"Skyline Cafe" That was both beautiful and rather sad at the same time

When I was a Cub Scout we slept on the USS NJ, went through all the routines, then served 200+ people breakfast. Mind you, I was like 9 or 10 lmao. It was an incredible experience, I still can’t believe we got to sleep on the ship. Way cool

I really like these US Navy ship cook videos. It’s amazing how they feed so many people.

Not too many people get an experience like you did. But I am glad that you was able to share with the rest of us what it was like. Maybe you can do the army next?

When he started working on the beans he was horrified with everything that was going into it 😂😂 His whole demeanor and word choice was very concentrated, making sure he don’t say the wrong thing 😆💯 Anyone else noticed that?

What I love about Frank is that he is not a pretensious a hole that a lot of "celebrity" chefs are. If anyone could carry on Anthony Bourdain's legacy it would be Frank. He looks at food and cooking the same Bourdain did: a way to connect with people. Need more of Frank and in longer segments.

In boot camp we had maintenance week and I got stuck in the chow hall preparing the meals. Maintenance week is a week long and the chow hall duties were grueling. Just like these guys it was 16 hour days. It would start at I think 2am if I remember correctly.

What an amazing video! I loved every minute of that! Thank you for featuring our great men and women of our military. I was interested all the way through

The best advice I was given was when I served on the USS Shenandoah (AD-26). The Master Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Food Service Division told me to, "Never piss off the cook". Good advice in all aspects of life.

Italian style baked beans lol frank was like hell na lol

Got to enjoy the determination and motivation in the kitchen! Respect to you for doing this. 👏🏼 can't imagine the feeling of working in those kitchens. Great video.

5:43 gotta find a way to have fun while you work. Really love that quote from that guy

That classic line "Watch out real quick." The classic line to the newbie in the kitchen slowing things down.

I built and welded lots of jobs on this ship. It's awesome to see my work in the videos!

I am sailor in the Indian Navy and we get Dal (chickpea), Achar (pickle), rice and rotti for lunch (no breakfast btw) and last week's chicken with achar and rotti for dinner. We have a cow shed in the lower compartment, even though it's immensely smelly with dung and urine, we don't mind. Jai hind! I love my mother India.

It sounds super tough (and it is) to plan food at this level. I heard from a head chef on a cruise ship tho that after a season or two you’ve learned how folks eat and can almost order tons and pallet fills of food effortlessly and have very little waste. And they plan menus where leftovers work perfectly in future meals. Honestly I think the storage and logistics is far harder and more interesting then the cooking itself.

Our Mess Chief cared. We always ate good. Only had one bad food-thing in the Navy, and that was a piece of undercooked chicken.

Franky is so genuine in everything he does, he truly fits that "take pride in what you do", regardless of setting.

That fish and rice looks good. When I was in the Navy the rice was like a hard bouncy ball they served with an ice cream scooper. We had military roast beef and it didn't look like that. We used to say that it was labeled as Military Roast Beef so it wouldn't accidentally be used for dog food.

hooyah! This is awesome to see...military isn't easy, but its nice to see appreciation for us. Thank you for showing this.

Just glad my boy Frank is back but his face when making that Baked Beans was like “ Oh hell nahh “.

Cooks in general have a tough job but a military cook is at an entirely different level.

This dude seems(because I don’t know what he’s like off camera) like a good guy and I really appreciate him being as respectful as he can. A lot of people don’t understand how much a role respect plays in our military and as a service member it’s always nice to see someone appreciating our support. Having said that the dude was definitely getting the most well behaved soldiers they could find as his guides lol. Most military don’t really like dealing with civilians on the job ngl, just because they have a habit of making mistakes that we have to clean up or deal with.

I worked at a DFAC for years and got to serve some pretty amazing people. As a military wife, God Bless all the soldiers!!

Master Chief Paje was my "A" School instructor back in 1993. He was laid back even then as a Second Class PO.

I’ll never forget that horrific tragedy and I’m scottish/British, much love and respect to all y’all. God Bless United States of America IJN Amen

Great story! Mr pinello you were super respectful and down to earth with you chill vibe ! Thanks!

I have nothing but respect for anyone that can cook, especially at this caliber. That is an insane amount of food and it’s obviously that they are trying to do the best they can with the limited resources they have.

The opening music was "Get as close to Top Gun you can but the free version"

Being a cook is definitely not an easy job at all big respect to all the cooks In the military work long hours with little sleep day in and day out their job gets over looked but it’s very demanding and deserves respect

I really respect Frank, not only for featuring our Navy and Marine cooks. Being a professional chef, he listened and was not condescending. He even slept in a coffin rack, even though he probably shoulda been issued a private wardroom. 👍🏽

The "tilt skillets" are called steam kettles. A tilt skillet is rectangular and much more shallow, which uses direct heating, vs a steam kettle which uses an in direct heating method, similar to a double boiler.