Coast Guard Auxiliary Members Complete Culinary Training

Six members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Eastern Long Island Division recently completed a weekend of culinary assistant training at Coast Guard Station Shinnecock in Hampton Bays.

Thomas Ogno, Christopher Stewart, Paul Meszik, Andrew Tarantino, Frank Backus and Elizabeth Downs participated in classroom instruction and hands-on training in the station’s galley as they work toward qualification as Auxiliary Culinary Assistants.

The training was conducted under the direction of Coast Guard Auxiliary culinary leadership for Sector Long Island Sound South. Active-duty Coast Guard Culinary Specialists Nick Antonaccio and Peyton Tackett also provided instruction and practical guidance during the program.

Auxiliary Culinary Assistants support food service operations during Auxiliary activities and can also assist active-duty Coast Guard units when staffing needs arise. After completing the qualification process, culinary assistants may serve at Coast Guard stations, training centers and other units. Depending on their qualifications and Coast Guard needs, they may also support cutter deployments.

The program provides additional personnel when active-duty culinary specialists are unavailable because of leave, illness, reassignment or other circumstances. The six Eastern Long Island Division members will become available to assist Coast Guard units in the region after completing their remaining qualification requirements.

Station Shinnecock served as the training site for the weekend. Its galley was named the Coast Guard’s Galley of the Year in 2023.

The Culinary Assistant program is one of several specialized areas in which Coast Guard Auxiliary members receive training to support active-duty personnel and Coast Guard operations.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. Members assist with a range of missions and support functions, including boating safety, public education, vessel examinations and operational support.

Community members interested in culinary assistance or other volunteer opportunities can apply to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary and receive specialized training.