RFMC Shout Out to CS2 Derek Mazzocoli

You are commended for your outstanding performance in support of the Culinary Specialist Rating Force Master Chiefs (RFMC) National Security Cutter Dining Facility Familiarization visit from 15JAN2024 to 28FEB2024. Your exemplary leadership and culinary expertise notably contributed to the success of this significant visit. Your outstanding command over a seven-member team, comprised of the RFMC, four CS3s — inclusive of three recent A School graduates — and a TDY CS2, significantly enhanced operations and morale aboard the cutter.
Under your leadership, the team successfully undertook the preparation of sophisticated gourmet food for a crew of 160 with commendable finesse and precision. Your dedication extended to insightful deliberations with the RFMC, addressing policies, challenges, and innovative solutions to enhance life at sea for junior Culinary Specialists across our esteemed rating.
Your adeptness in showcasing exemplary practices for managing an underway large dining operation — from loadouts and breakouts to overall galley management — has informed best practices noted by the RFMC, effectively raising the bar for culinary excellence at sea.
Particularly striking were your efforts leading to the creation of complex, unprecedented culinary buffets during the underway period, which not only earned the admiration of the RFMC but also heralded a new epoch in the realm of Underway Food Service standards.
Exterior to the cutter’s galley, through the Culinary Specialist Rating’s Social Media platforms coverage of the RFMC visit, you spurred remarkable visibility in the role of the ship’s chef, accruing an audience surpassing 1 million viewers. Two of the featured clips spotlighting your dedication and skill amassed over 200,000 views alone, serving as an educational glimpse into the world of culinary specialists for potential recruits, enhancing the CS brand, and inspiring current Culinary Specialists to seek underway opportunities.
Your far-reaching impact on the Culinary Specialist community is immortalized not only through your culinary creations but also through your mentorship of five junior CS personnel and one RFMC, setting an exemplary standard within the rating. Your versatile leadership was on full display, whether serving as the duty cook during in-port days, the underway duty cook on Holiday Routine, or supervising the galley, contributing significantly to the preparation and distribution of over 14,000 balanced meals to the Bertholf’s crew, alongside visiting contractors and distinguished guests.
In your relentless commitment to excellence, you played a pivotal role in effectively organizing and storing a $60K provision of food supplies for your patrol and adeptly supported the Jack-Of-The-Dust in managing an extensive food inventory valued at over $200K.
Your leadership directly resulted in the presentation of special meals—ranging from surf and turf feasts and Bahn Mis to mouthwatering Honey Walnut Shrimp. Notably, your homemade Beef Wellington, the Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb, and the ceremonial cake for the Master Cutterman Ceremony in honor of CWO4 Woodworth were standout embodiments of your culinary mastery.
Thank you for the indelible mark you’ve made on both the Culinary Specialist rating and the overarching spirit of excellence exemplified by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Also, Derek is awarded the Military Chef Certification from MilitaryChefs.com: