ADF chefs went head to head in a MasterChef-style competition on board HMAS Stirling in Western Australia on August 26.
Now in its third year, the One Defence Hospitality and Catering Challenge tasked each team with creating five unique canapés, judged on taste, texture and presentation, and also back-of-house skills, such as efficiency, food wastage and kitchen cleanliness.
With only a few hours to prepare, competitors were thrown a surprise twist mid-way through the event: a mystery ingredient - mussels.
Guest judge and former MasterChef contestant Alex Crisp said it was an honour to watch the teams in action.
"The food served was a true reflection of the passion, teamwork, focus and creativity each team displayed in the kitchen," Ms Crisp said.
"It was a wonderful evening and I'm excited to see where their future takes them."
Taking advantage of the home-ground setting, Team Navy claimed victory, winning the crowd vote by a landslide.
Event coordinator Sub Lieutenant Gus Coleman said the competition showcased military hospitality.
"It's rare that our people get to show off what they are really capable of," Sub Lieutenant Coleman said.
"Time and time again I have been blown away by the quality of our chefs.
"I really believe that they can go toe to toe with some of the best chefs in the country."
