SOME people outside the maritime industry, when caught in a conversation about ships and mariners, would often commence with the question: 'What do seafarers do?' Such question would be met with descriptions of how seafarers can be many things at the same time — navigators, engineers, mechanics, medical practitioners, security personnel, managers, lawyers, marine biologists and counselors.

Of the many jobs onboard conventional vessels — such as tanker ships, car carriers, general cargo ships and bulk carriers — one of the most important, and often missed out, is that of the cook's.