Outback Delivers!

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Now, I’m proud of Outback Restaurants!

From the Navy web pages:

Outback Steakhouse Sponsors Meal for Nimitz Crew
9/20/2005 4:23:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Dustin Q. Diaz, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS NIMITZ, Persian Gulf (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) were served a steak dinner Sept. 14 cooked by employees of Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

According to Joel Barker, director of research and development for Serious Food Operations, Outback sponsored the all-day buffet, known as “Feeding Freedom”, for the crew of more than 4,600 men and women in uniform as a way of saying thank you.

“When I was approached with this opportunity, there was no question in my mind about it,” Barker said. “I’m sure that sometimes being way out here for long periods of time, the troops might think people have forgotten about them. For me, it’s an awesome chance to come out and tell them, ‘Nobody has forgotten about you.’ It’s a way to give back and show some support to those who support and protect us.”

Barker said putting together the meal was a huge undertaking requiring cooperation between the Navy and 20 workers from Outback, Carrabba’s and National Air Cargo. He said the full expenses connected with the meal and trip totaled more than $290,000.

Outback’s goal, Barker said, was to serve everybody on the ship a meal prepared to Outback’s standards and to give the crew a taste of home.

One Sailor who sampled the buffet had glowing praise for the quality of the food.

“I had corn on the cob, a steak and some cheesecake,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kristina Carlon, from Yuma, Ariz. “The cheesecake was awesome, very rich and had the perfect amount of chocolate. And the steak was very juicy, seasoned and cooked just right. You’d never know it from actually going out to eat at the Outback, but the difference was that they brought it out to us.”

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (SW/AW) Leia DiBiasie said the meal was more than welcome after a long day of work.

“They went above and beyond in terms of serving the crew,” said DiBiasie, from Saugus, Mass. “It was supposed to end at 7 (p.m.), but there were people like myself who weren’t able to make it due to work, and they kept the line open, put together ‘to-go’ bags, and made sure everybody got served.

“It was really honorable of them to not just do it, but make sure it was done right, and they definitely did that,” said DiBiasie. “It showed that they do care about what we’re doing out here, and we’re really grateful for that.”

“It all comes back to us in the good words and the smiles on the faces of the crew, and we see that just walking down the hall,” said Bob Sherrill, business development manager for National Air Cargo. "We’ve collaborated with Outback to do this twice before, and we’ll keep on doing it.”

“It also showed us how impressive it is that they feed this massive crew three times a day, every day,” added Barker.

As the day concluded, Capt. Ted Branch, Nimitz commanding officer, thanked the visitors on behalf of the crew during his nightly address over the loudspeaker.

“In all my years in the Navy, this was probably the best dinner I’ve ever had at sea,” said Branch. “As far as I’m concerned, the Outback crew is welcome back on board any time.”

The Nimitz Strike Group is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment and is participating in maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.