FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Sept 1, 2016 1:50:07 GMT -8
Centerpiece? I think you meant Centerplate.
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Post by SS San Mateo on Sept 29, 2016 8:29:41 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 29, 2016 10:43:10 GMT -8
Do food service workers on WSF's have any role in emergency preparedness on board the vessels on which they are working on? I ask this as it is my understanding that on BC Ferries' vessels all crew, including catering staff, have a role to play in the event of an emergency, & they are trained for such. Some WSF's vessels may carry up to 2000 passengers. If a rapid evacuation was required how many trained personal are available to accomplish such?
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Post by northwesterner on Sept 29, 2016 21:39:03 GMT -8
Do food service workers on WSF's have any role in emergency preparedness on board the vessels on which they are working on? No, they don't.
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 4, 2016 4:16:14 GMT -8
The saga of the food service changeover continues. I guess there are people who rely on the ferries for food. I have never been one of them. It's been a VERY long time (like 25-30 years) since I have equated a trip on Washington State Ferries with getting a meal on board. I hope Centerplate does better than its predecessors. It would be nice to have decent food back aboard our ferries. State ferries: new food vendor arrives mid-October, agency asking for passenger patience by Kara KostanichMonday, October 3rd 2016SEATTLE - Washington State Ferries' (WSF) new food vendor, Centerplate will soon be rolling out their fanfare on vessels across the Puget Sound. The old food vendor, Olympic Cascade Sevice, filed a lawsuit back in April against the state when it selected a new vendor. When a court ruled in favor of the state, Olympic Cascade appealed. But, an appeals court decided not to hear the case, which meant the vendor transition would proceed. While the switch is underway, some passengers are coming up hungry and disappointed. The galleys on most boats that sail across north, central and south Puget Sound are shut down and locked up tight, waiting for Olympic Cascade to pack up and Centerplate to move in. "It was a little disappointing that the signs say coffee and to come here to see but we'll get through it," said ferry passenger Mary Reis. WSF said Monday, Olympic Cascade, who stopped service on all ferries, has until Oct. 15th to remove their equipment from all boats. "So we're asking folks to be patient, we're excited that new food is coming," said WSF Communication Manager Brian Mannion. Centerplate will operate under the name Puget Sound Provisions and will have some form of food on every run by Oct. 16th. On Monday the vendor rolled out some of items they’ll be serving onboard the boats to passengers at Seattle’s Colman Dock. The menu is more than 60 percent local serving items like Seattle Dry Cider, Uli's Sausage, products from Hemplers, Coffee from Café Vita, Schwartz Brothers Pastries and much more. “The food that was on the ferry before - you tasted it once and you never went back.” said another passenger at Colman Dock. “It was something that you didn’t repeat. These new item are wonderful - so very very good.” When you have great suppliers and great vendors this close, it’s an opportunity to showcase that amazing product said Centerplate. "Most of the base prices are going to be pretty comparable," said Diana Evans, Vice President of Marketing for Centerplate. "So riders might see increase from a quarter to a dollar on some items." Centerplate said they have hired 100 percent of the current galley staff who have applied and plan to hire more. They hope to make the ride across Puget Sound one of the best experiences in the Pacific Northwest. "We really want to show off what Washington State has to offer," said Evans. The company will be building out new galleys on every vessel, but said it will take several months to complete the project. Centerplate is also the exclusive caterer at Safeco Field, home to the Seattle Mariners. komonews.com/news/local/state-ferries-new-food-vendor-arrives-mid-october-asking-for-passenger-patience
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KE7JFF
Chief Steward
Posts: 106
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Post by KE7JFF on Oct 23, 2016 9:24:57 GMT -8
Wait, they will have better coffee? YES!
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Post by compdude787 on Oct 23, 2016 21:15:59 GMT -8
The saga of the food service changeover continues. I guess there are people who rely on the ferries for food. I have never been one of them. It's been a VERY long time (like 25-30 years) since I have equated a trip on Washington State Ferries with getting a meal on board. I hope Centerplate does better than its predecessors. It would be nice to have decent food back aboard our ferries. Me neither. But that's more because I've always thought that the food on the ferries is just too darn expensive.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,177
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Post by Neil on Oct 23, 2016 21:47:30 GMT -8
The saga of the food service changeover continues. I guess there are people who rely on the ferries for food. I have never been one of them. It's been a VERY long time (like 25-30 years) since I have equated a trip on Washington State Ferries with getting a meal on board. I hope Centerplate does better than its predecessors. It would be nice to have decent food back aboard our ferries. I guess it's not surprising that there is an entirely different mindset about food services between WSF and BCFS. The vast majority of passengers north of the border are travelling on routes of 95-120 minutes, where in Washington the vast majority uses routes of 35 minutes or less. When I go back to the mainland, I time it so I can dine on the ferry and not have to worry about buying and cooking dinner afterward. The onboard food service is important to me. I guess the only routes in Washington where food might count would be Bremerton or the San Juans.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Oct 23, 2016 22:39:54 GMT -8
The saga of the food service changeover continues. I guess there are people who rely on the ferries for food. I have never been one of them. It's been a VERY long time (like 25-30 years) since I have equated a trip on Washington State Ferries with getting a meal on board. I hope Centerplate does better than its predecessors. It would be nice to have decent food back aboard our ferries. I guess it's not surprising that there is an entirely different mindset about food services between WSF and BCFS. The vast majority of passengers north of the border are travelling on routes of 95-120 minutes, where in Washington the vast majority uses routes of 35 minutes or less. When I go back to the mainland, I time it so I can dine on the ferry and not have to worry about buying and cooking dinner afterward. The onboard food service is important to me. I guess the only routes in Washington where food might count would be Bremerton or the San Juans. And, back in the old days, there were no microwave ovens or any of that kind of modern galley equipment we have today. To make a hot dog back then, the galley person would cut a hot dog down the middle and open it like a book and fried both sides. The buns would be fried as well. Then, the dog would be put together. By then, especially on the short Columbia Beach run, it would be time to go below to your cars. As a yummy treat, I have a couple of purchased Demoro photos of the ILLAHEE's galley for you: This was the serving counter aboard the ILLAHEE. Next to the lady was the grill. Behind her was the coffee dispenser. Above the deckhand were screens that were used to seal off the galley when it was closed (the galley hatch was padlocked as well). Only the ILLAHEE had an "open hatch policy" in her dining room after hours as the entrance hatches were removed. Hatches remained aboard the KLICKITAT, NISQUALLY, and QUINAULT and people had to go outside to get to the Number Two End observatory on those three ferries. The dining room aboard the ILLAHEE. Notice the absence of a hatch that's at the entrance into the observatory. This would be changed to formed seats and tables of bright red and yellow in the 1970s.
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Post by yak on Oct 24, 2016 12:52:07 GMT -8
I just happened to take the Elwha from Anacortes to Sidney on Centerplate's first morning on that run yesterday. It was a total gong-show with the galley not even opening until nearly 30 minutes into the voyage. No menu items were posted and even once the cafeteria was open the breakfast sandwiches they were serving weren't ready until the ship had nearly reached Friday Harbor. Coffee was north of $3 USD for a 12oz cup. This was my first trip ever on a WSF so I don't have any previous service level to reference but I hope that this was just "opening jitters" for the new provider.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Oct 24, 2016 13:35:06 GMT -8
I just happened to take the Elwha from Anacortes to Sidney on Centerplate's first morning on that run yesterday. It was a total gong-show with the galley not even opening until nearly 30 minutes into the voyage. No menu items were posted and even once the cafeteria was open the breakfast sandwiches they were serving weren't ready until the ship had nearly reached Friday Harbor. Coffee was north of $3 USD for a 12oz cup. This was my first trip ever on a WSF so I don't have any previous service level to reference but I hope that this was just "opening jitters" for the new provider. Well, you cant expect much on the first day. Work still has to be done.
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Post by Sammy Sam Samish on Feb 6, 2017 17:52:46 GMT -8
Kinda a random question, Does anyone know if the galley's in the SJI's are open during the winter now? I know the Inter-Island galley should be opening soon, but I don't know about the mainland vessels. I was on a sailing on the Yakima a couple years ago, and the galley, and the upper deck were both closed. I'm curious to see if WSF would open the upper deck to provide galley service, or just keep it closed. Also, I was on the Tacoma the other day, and the Express Bar is supposed to be open in about a month.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Feb 6, 2017 19:25:18 GMT -8
Kinda a random question, Does anyone know if the galley's in the SJI's are open during the winter now? I know the Inter-Island galley should be opening soon, but I don't know about the mainland vessels. I was on a sailing on the Yakima a couple years ago, and the galley, and the upper deck were both closed. I'm curious to see if WSF would open the upper deck to provide galley service, or just keep it closed. Also, I was on the Tacoma the other day, and the Express Bar is supposed to be open in about a month. According to the WSF "Anacortes" terminal page, the galley hours for the Winter schedule are as follows: - Vessel #1: Closed - Vessel #2: Closed - Vessel #3: - Monday - Thursday: 8:00am-1:30pm - Friday: 8:00am-10:00pm - Sat. - Sun.: 8:00am-8:55pm -Vessel #4: - Monday - Friday: 9:00am-3:15pm
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Post by Sammy Sam Samish on Feb 6, 2017 19:34:07 GMT -8
Kinda a random question, Does anyone know if the galley's in the SJI's are open during the winter now? I know the Inter-Island galley should be opening soon, but I don't know about the mainland vessels. I was on a sailing on the Yakima a couple years ago, and the galley, and the upper deck were both closed. I'm curious to see if WSF would open the upper deck to provide galley service, or just keep it closed. Also, I was on the Tacoma the other day, and the Express Bar is supposed to be open in about a month. According to the WSF "Anacortes" terminal page, the galley hours for the Winter schedule are as follows: - Vessel #1: Closed - Vessel #2: Closed - Vessel #3: - Monday - Thursday: 8:00am-1:30pm - Friday: 8:00am-10:00pm - Sat. - Sun.: 8:00am-8:55pm -Vessel #4: - Monday - Friday: 9:00am-3:15pm
Didn't notice that, thanks! I guess is makes sense that they kept the Yakima closed.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Feb 7, 2017 7:39:01 GMT -8
According to the WSF "Anacortes" terminal page, the galley hours for the Winter schedule are as follows: - Vessel #1: Closed - Vessel #2: Closed - Vessel #3: - Monday - Thursday: 8:00am-1:30pm - Friday: 8:00am-10:00pm - Sat. - Sun.: 8:00am-8:55pm -Vessel #4: - Monday - Friday: 9:00am-3:15pm
Didn't notice that, thanks! I guess is makes sense that they kept the Yakima closed. It's interesting now that that the #4 vessel gets galley service now. Maybe those hours will be expanded in the peak season to include the 2:15p from FH to Anacortes. Food service is always desired on that vessel.
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Post by Sammy Sam Samish on Feb 7, 2017 8:18:39 GMT -8
Didn't notice that, thanks! I guess is makes sense that they kept the Yakima closed. It's interesting now that that the #4 vessel gets galley service now. Maybe those hours will be expanded in the peak season to include the 2:15p from FH to Anacortes. Food service is always desired on that vessel. Yes, I love that the Inter-Island ferry has galley service now. That would leave Point Defiance as the only route without galley service. However, that route doesn't really need it.
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Post by R30A on Feb 7, 2017 11:21:24 GMT -8
I understand not providing food service on the #2 boat, at least Monday-Thursday, but how is the #4 boat a higher priority than the #1 boat? If it is a staffing level issue in which they do not wish to open the upper deck, perhaps they should swap the Yakima with the Chelan? Is capacity that much of an issue right now?
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Feb 7, 2017 17:03:56 GMT -8
I understand not providing food service on the #2 boat, at least Monday-Thursday, but how is the #4 boat a higher priority than the #1 boat? If it is a staffing level issue in which they do not wish to open the upper deck, perhaps they should swap the Yakima with the Chelan? Is capacity that much of an issue right now? The issue of the upper deck might be solved when in the first week of March (TBD), the Kitsap becomes the #1 vessel and runs alongside the Chelan and the Samish.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 8, 2017 16:06:30 GMT -8
I understand not providing food service on the #2 boat, at least Monday-Thursday, but how is the #4 boat a higher priority than the #1 boat? If it is a staffing level issue in which they do not wish to open the upper deck, perhaps they should swap the Yakima with the Chelan? Is capacity that much of an issue right now? The issue of the upper deck might be solved when in the first week of March (TBD), the Kitsap becomes the #1 vessel and runs alongside the Chelan and the Samish. I'm betting it won't be solved...
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Post by R30A on Feb 9, 2017 9:03:23 GMT -8
I understand not providing food service on the #2 boat, at least Monday-Thursday, but how is the #4 boat a higher priority than the #1 boat? If it is a staffing level issue in which they do not wish to open the upper deck, perhaps they should swap the Yakima with the Chelan? Is capacity that much of an issue right now? The issue of the upper deck might be solved when in the first week of March (TBD), the Kitsap becomes the #1 vessel and runs alongside the Chelan and the Samish. I thought the Kitsap was slated to replace the Samish, not the Yakima.
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Post by Sammy Sam Samish on Feb 9, 2017 15:43:23 GMT -8
Yup, Hyak/Kitsap replace the Samish, and the Elwha replaces the Yakima. I wonder if the Upper Deck on the Hyak would be open as there is no way to keep it closed...
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 10, 2017 8:26:40 GMT -8
Yup, Hyak/Kitsap replace the Samish, and the Elwha replaces the Yakima. I wonder if the Upper Deck on the Hyak would be open as there is no way to keep it closed... I don't think the Hyak's coming up north. I haven't checked the placement card in a week or so, though.
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Post by Sammy Sam Samish on Feb 10, 2017 14:38:27 GMT -8
Yup, Hyak/Kitsap replace the Samish, and the Elwha replaces the Yakima. I wonder if the Upper Deck on the Hyak would be open as there is no way to keep it closed... I don't think the Hyak's coming up north. I haven't checked the placement card in a week or so, though. The maintenance schedule WSF released says the Hyak will be up there from February 27th to the week of March 6th. Of course, this could have changed considering WSF released this in December.
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 13, 2017 19:35:41 GMT -8
I don't think the Hyak's coming up north. I haven't checked the placement card in a week or so, though. The maintenance schedule WSF released says the Hyak will be up there from February 27th to the week of March 6th. Of course, this could have changed considering WSF released this in December. Ah. Yes, you're working with old news. The Hyak is no longer scheduled to appear in the islands this winter, as far as I know.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Feb 13, 2017 21:16:12 GMT -8
The maintenance schedule WSF released says the Hyak will be up there from February 27th to the week of March 6th. Of course, this could have changed considering WSF released this in December. Ah. Yes, you're working with old news. The Hyak is no longer scheduled to appear in the islands this winter, as far as I know. Well, very limited data is available from WSF as their Vessel Maintenance chart hasn't been updated in more than 6 months (last day was July 27). Ugh!
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