From galley to kitchen: Stella Maris celebrates seafarers' recipes

Source: Stalla Maris

Catholic charity Stella Maris is celebrating the cooking skills, resourcefulness and food traditions of seafarers and fishers through a new cookbook, with all profits from the sale of the book supporting those who work at sea and their families.

The Seafarers' Cookbook brings together recipes and personal stories from around the world, offering readers a taste of life at sea and the dishes that connect crews to home. It provides an opportunity to recognise the ingenuity of those preparing meals at sea, where limited supplies, tight budgets and changing schedules can make feeding a crew a daily challenge.

Published by Stella Maris and sponsored by Tindall Riley, Managers of Britannia P&I Club, the book grew from a campaign inviting seafarers to share meals that keep them going on board: breakfasts that fuel the working day, comforting dishes that bring crews together and snacks for a busy watch.

Cooking for crews with different tastes and backgrounds calls for skill and imagination. The collection celebrates the resourcefulness involved in preparing varied, satisfying meals in those circumstances, alongside recipes that hold special meaning for the people who make them.

Among the contributors is Richmon Dale Figueroa, whose Arroz a la Valenciana, a Filipino-style rice dish with pork and chicken, brings back memories of festivals and large gatherings during his childhood in the Philippines. He remembers his mother preparing the dish, which became a memorable part of his upbringing.

Years later, Richmon learnt to prepare the meal himself, with his mother being the first person he served it to. Seeing her pride made the moment particularly special for him, and he has since shared the same dish with his crewmates at sea.

His story sits alongside recipes influenced by Filipino, Korean, Turkish, Chinese and European cooking, from kimbap seaweed rice rolls and pork adobo to shepherd's pie with baked beans and Filipino leche flan.

Tim Hill MBE, CEO and National Director of Stella Maris UK, said: "Behind every meal at sea is someone finding a way to feed their crewmates, make ingredients go further or bring a familiar taste of home to the table. We wanted this book to celebrate that resourcefulness and give seafarers and fishers the chance to tell their own stories.

"Good food matters to wellbeing, but so do the conversations, memories and moments of enjoyment that come with it. By buying the cookbook, readers can discover those stories while helping us provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to seafarers, fishers and their families."

The book was recently introduced at a supporter event, where guests sampled some of its recipes before purchasing their copies.

Ella Hagell, Britannia P&I Club said: "We are pleased to sponsor a book that gives seafarers a chance to share something of their lives with people ashore. These recipes reflect the skill, care and resourcefulness found in galleys around the world, as well as the importance of food in bringing people together. We are proud to support Stella Maris in turning those contributions into a book whose profits will help maritime workers and their families."

All profits from sales of The Seafarers' Cookbook will support Stella Maris's work with seafarers, fishers and their families.

The book is available from: https://stellamaris.org.uk/product/cookbook/ priced at £8.99 +p&p.

Stella Maris (formerly known as Apostleship of the Sea) is the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church. Its chaplains and volunteers provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to thousands of seafarers, fishers and their families each year.

90% of world trade is transported by ship. However, the life of a seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. Seafarers may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their families and loved ones, often working in harsh conditions.

Stella Maris' chaplains and ship visitors provide seafarers and fishers with pastoral and practical support, information and a listening ear.

For more information visit: www.stellamaris.org.uk

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