In this episode of “Hot off the Press,” Chef Pete Blohme chats with Navy Entertainment Program Director Karen Fritz just back from her European tour with Mess Lords. Featured on the Food Network program "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri, Mess Lords is a group of celebrity chefs that have teamed up to help boost the morale of those in the United States Armed Services. As a founding member of the organization, Chef Pete and his team of Mess Lords offer cooking demos, culinary shows, entertainment, and of course good eats to the men and women who selflessly serve our country.
Karen has worked with the U.S Navy for 25 years, 12 of those with Navy Entertainment and MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) where she travels more than 300,000 miles and produces 300 shows each year to put smiles on the faces of military service men and women stationed in the United States and abroad. From musicians and movie stars to comedians, UFC fighters and professional chefs, the shows feature some of the top acts in the entertainment arena today including Creed, Darius Rucker, and Sugarland. While the job may not be suited for everyone, Karen says that the reward far outweighs the exhaustion that comes with this type of lifestyle.
Take a listen as Pete and Karen talk about their experiences over the years serving the troops through the MWR program, including a favorite memory of a trip that involved loading 50 cases of tomatoes, 80 cases of lettuce, and 100 jars of pickles on a helicopter to make paninis for 800 marines and more than 2,000 sailors! But they both agree it’s not about the cooking or entertainment, but having the opportunity to thank the troops for all that they do.
For more information on Navy Entertainment and MWR ongoing tours, visit www.navymwr.org. Check out Mess Lords on Facebook at facebook.com/Messlords.