Food prepartion?

[Qstor2]

The thread on laundry had me thinking. Where on a Type S or Free trader and other ships without set galley space, does one prepare food? Hot plates for the crew? Microwave ovens in staterooms?

I would imagine after a week in jump, the crew might get sick of instant coffee and 'just add hot water' products. I looked through GT Starships and the MT SOM and didnt see anything.

Mike

 

[far-trader]

The thread on laundry had me thinking. Where on a Type S or Free trader and other ships without set galley space, does one prepare food? Hot plates for the crew? Microwave ovens in staterooms?

I would imagine after a week in jump, the crew might get sick of instant coffee and 'just add hot water' products. I looked through GT Starships and the MT SOM and didnt see anything.

Mike

It's there in the common space, just not detailed, just like the staterooms generally aren't detailed (as in beds or such) in the old deckplans.

The MT SOM deckplans have a forward area on the upper passenger deck labeled Galley and Steward supplies with what looks like a wraparound counter with sink, range, fridge etc., however...

...that deckplan is badly badly broke.

 

[leo knight]

I always label a part of the lounge/ common area as a galley. I imagine the variations would be as wide as those in our current planes, boats and ships.
I instantly thought of an 80s movie, "Nightflyers". When the crew comes on board the ship, one guy makes a beeline for the galley. He agrees to come along in part because the pantry is so well stocked!

 

[Patron Zero]

Prepacks & Greenhouses

I can't see this as a preferred choice of any crew but there is always the option of the Traveller equivalent of MREs and other heat-and-eat commercially packaged sustenance.

Even the most bare bones (no pun intended) of galley 'modules' would provide some sort of microwave-convection oven as well as hot and cold water ports, at the far end even a small craft such as a Scout/Courier may allocate some space for an airponics-hydroponics bay if such were no more than just to provide fresh greens and small 'table' vegetables.

Of the above examples, I can't see a crew living on a diet of cold beans and biscuits between ports of call, would any air recycler be up to such a challenge ?

 

[Captain Midnight]

I would imagine after a week in jump, the crew might get sick of instant coffee and 'just add hot water' products. I looked through GT Starships and the MT SOM and didnt see anything.

In GT Starships, there's a "Galley Module" detailed on p.60 for ships with more than 20 staterooms, and guidelines for what is included as part of the allotment for each stateroom on p. 58. Cost, weight, and volume for fresh and for preserved provisions are detailed on p. 27. The differences in the various types of life support systems are laid out on p. 56.

 

[Madarin Dude]

In my traveller universe you can spot scouts out of uniform by their bad complexion. After a diet of fritos and snickers bars day in day out. That is why the survival roll is so high.

Sorry had to have some fun with it I would guess most of proposed ideas are good.

 

[jfetters]

Awesome, MD.

To the subject at hand, preparation space isn't so much of an issue as meal storage, IMO. Even in First Class on planes, there is limited preparation space and the food is pretty damn good.

The only thing a starship would add would be some kind of reclamation/recycling process and some kind of a dishwasher.

 

[Patron Zero]

Here are some stats that I have used in my deckplaning part of my game

In some recent drawings I have made the lounge and Kitchen areas more like a mini breakfast bar and in others they are like a small cafe luncheon with a bar.

Dave Chase

I've always pictured the galley area on a smaller starship, say under 800 tons or so, to be very much a self-serve affair much like a coin-operated automat.

Such accommodations being very utilitarian in function and appearance to 'compliment' the no frills-all business feel of Scout/Couriers or other duty-specific vessels.

 

[PFVA63]

Hi

Hi,

I typically try to include a small galley and serving area on the deck plans I draw up, though I tend to prefer lower tech settings than what I guess may be more typical in the Official Traveller Universe.

Here are some links to a 100 dton ship, a 200 dton ship and a 300 dton ship that I have drawn up to a couple different sets of rules showing how I've laid out the galley and serving area spaces on some small commercial ships, if anyone is interested. (I also posted them in the "Laundries Thread" as well.)

M100 Upper Dk 1
M100 Upper Dk 2
M100 Lower Dk 1
M100 Lower Dk 2

M200 Upper Dk
M200 Lower Dk
M200 Bridge Dk

M300 Upper Dk 1
M300 Upper Dk 2
M300 Lower Dk 1
M300 Lower Dk 2
M300 Key 1
M300 Key 2

On the 100 ton ship, I included a small (1 dton) galley, outfitted with something along the lines of a refrigerator, an small oven/stove, a sink, and counter space - or whatever the future version of equipment like this might be. I suspect that you could also add storage cabinets and an under counter microwave-like device.

I also included a 5 dton common space that accommodates a 6-person dining table on one side (big enough for all passengers and crew) as well as a separate lounge area, on the other side.

On the 200 ton ship, I haven't had a chance to fully lay out everything, but I put a galley on the upper/crew level (about 2.75 dtons) and I've provided common spaces on both the upper/crew level and the lower/passenger level that I intend to lay out similar to the 100 ton ship. On this ship, I wanted to keep the passengers and crew spaces separated, and the food prepared in the galley would have to be delivered down to the passenger spaces.

On the 300 ton ship, I also wanted to try and keep the passengers and crew spaces separated, so I put the crew stuff off to the Port side, while most of the Passenger spaces are located mostly to Starboard. The Galley is about 2 dtons here and is located in the middle of the ship (in the space labled "10"). Separate Passenger and Crew Lounges are provided as spaces "17" and "14". In both spaces I tried to include both seating around tables for dining as well as a settee or sofa for use as a lounge.

One thing I've kind of cheated on though in laying out these spaces, is in food storage, as I've assumed that some can be stored in the refrigerator in the Galley, but other stuff could also potentially be stored in the cargo hold if necessary.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my thoughts on how I lay out these spaces on ships I've drawn up, if anyone is interested.

Regards

PF

 

[Icosahedron]

I use the lounge/mess area as idea similar to most kitchettes found in corps or large offices.

It has a microwave (food prep machine), refrigdator (storage), some cabinets for supplies (storage) and a small sink besides sitting places and maybe a few vendos.

The kitchen listed above is just that, a dedicated kitchen used for luxury or large ships or long tour ships that consider the human factor above cost/space factors.



Dave Chase

This is pretty much my thinking, too. A galley is the first priority component I specify in my accommodations, above even a lounge, so where there is very little space, the galley will include some seating (if only a fold-down bench) and will be the only common space.

On larger ships the lounge will be another room and there may be separate galley facilities for passengers and crew.

All my cabins include a kettle and microwave for snack making.

 

[Hemdian]

IMTU ship crews stock up with as much fresh food as they can, and as the supply dwindles it is increasingly supplemented by recycled food. (I liked the scene in “Das Boot” where the central corridor is partially blocked by boxes of food and imagine a similar situation occurs on starships that lack a cargo hold.) The smallest food recycler is similar in size to a domestic wheelie-bin, but if there are several crewmen then the food recycler takes up a full 0.5 dtons. Food recyclers produce algae-based ‘food cubes’ which, like pasta, can be formed into a wide variety of shapes. A starship’s common room will include a galley area but if there is no common space then the starship’s staterooms will have simple food preparation areas.

 

[PFVA63]

Hi

I use the lounge/mess area as idea similar to most kitchettes found in corps or large offices.

It has a microwave (food prep machine), refrigdator (storage), some cabinets for supplies (storage) and a small sink besides sitting places and maybe a few vendos.

The kitchen listed above is just that, a dedicated kitchen used for luxury or large ships or long tour ships that consider the human factor above cost/space factors.



Dave Chase

Hi,

I'd think something like this would be very well suited for small ships, especially like a Scout/Courier. Though, I'd think for any ship that regularly carries passengers, or those with more than maybe 6-8 crew might need something a little more.

Thinking of passengers in specific, looking at LBB 2, it indicates that a high-passage would include "first class accomodations and cuisine. High passengers have the services of the ship's steward, entertainment and complete attention to their comfort" while a mid-passage would "occupy staterooms normally similar to those occupied by high passengers, they do not receive the service or entertainment accorded the higher paying passengers".

As such, if a ship were intending to carry "high-passengers", in addition to a steward, the ship would need the ability to prepare and serve "first class" cuisine as well as be able to provide some form of entertainment for those passengers. On such a ship I would expect a more extensive kitchen (capable of preparing high quality meals), and probably a dedicated dining area, as well as maybe even a separate lounge for the high-passage visitors to congregate and interact.

At the risk of venturing potentially a little off-track, this kind of also raises questions on just what level of "entertainment" facilities might also be suitable on a ship. Specifically, in the 100 dton deckplans I mentioned in a previous post, I've tried to show some sort of a large size "Hi-Def" video screen (or whatever might be a futuristic equivalent), in the lounge area, plus a smaller view screen panel in each stateroom. Maybe these type "entertainment" issues might best be addressed in a separate thread, though.

Anyway, just some additional thought.

Regards

PF

 

[Patron Zero]

At the risk of venturing potentially a little off-track, this kind of also raises questions on just what level of "entertainment" facilities might also be suitable on a ship. Specifically, in the 100 dton deckplans I mentioned in a previous post, I've tried to show some sort of a large size "Hi-Def" video screen (or whatever might be a futuristic equivalent), in the lounge area, plus a smaller view screen panel in each stateroom. Maybe these type "entertainment" issues might best be addressed in a separate thread, though.

PF

Actually this came up by happenstance in a different thread concerning Ship Design & Standard sizes, a simple exercise wheel developing into a virtual reality chamber. Posting the link to said discussion below for your reference, and yes, "entertainment" issues does sound like a separate though equally deserving debate.


http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showpost.php?p=299920&postcount=55

 

[Drakon]

Most ships will be away from a port for about a week. This, and crew/passenger size puts the limits on how big the galley has to be. For most of the ships in Traveller, you can probably get by with a wall unit and a counter top, kind of like a bar. It could also double as a bar.

As for entertainment, HiDef TV and video library, with maybe an UberWii gamebox, with a locker for the various controllers can fit in a resonable space. That, a deck of cards and stack of poker chips should keep folks happy enough. Pretty girls can be entertaining as well, but would probably not count as ship's equipment.

Unless....

 

[PFVA63]

Hi

On the kitchen did you notice this in an earlier post ?

1 ton extra room real kitchen per cook (after 3 tons each ton handles 2 cooks)
Cost: 80KCr per ton (includes ventilation, range/cook surfaces and work tools)

I created that as a response to luxury, spacestation and ships with the need for more refined cooking than the college level kind
...

Dave Chase

Hi,

Yeah, I had seen that previous post. It looks like it should be a pretty reasonable and useful rule of thumb to me. In my last post I think I more or less was just thinking aloud/putting some thoughts out for comments, as to whether the use of a "break-room" like galley, etc on a small ship might indirectly prevent a ship like that from ever being able to carry "high-passengers", and as such would be unsuitable for small ship's that were normally expected to carry passengers (like a Free Trader or Far Trader, etc).

Thanks for posting all the info that you have been. I've found these couple of threads on Laundry's and Food Service to be very interesting. I especially like seeing how other people treat some of the stuff, in their games. This type thing always seem to be the stuff that you may never think about till a player asks, and then your stuck trying to come up with somthing on the spot, but they can also be useful in providing a little extra color to a setting and make it feel a little more real to me.

Regards

PF

 

[ThunderChilde]

Generally speaking, in the various traveller games I have been in run by my gaming group, the assumption is the AutoChef. Usually this is a 2-4 dt space with counters, cook sufaces, ovens, storage and refrigeration. There is an automated food preperation system included that can prepare most anything if you have the ingredients. An actual cook can manage substitutions, an AutoChef cannot by design.

In MGT the AutoChef is folded into the Luxuries options that substitute for stewards. 1 level of luxuries subs for 1 level of steward (Luxuries 1 can support 4 high passage with out a live steward being present)

 

[Ran Targas]

I've always played it that food prep wasn't the issue as much as quality of the food stuffs brought on board. I enjoy torturing my players with poor purchases (read: saving a buck) when it comes to food, particulary if they have passengers or are planning a long trek.

IMTU:

- Scouts are issued rations designed specifically for their lifestyle; they don't require much prep, are low volume, and are packaged to survive rough handling. I guess they're a lot like MREs but with better quality food. Can't have them complaining about the food too. IMTU, Scout rations (S-Rats) are heavily sought after by cilivian miners, mercs, and Travellers alike for these same reasons; they are a common barter item.

- The military has more elaborate food preparation facilities designed to reconstitute the powdered, frozen, and dried foods loaded by the metric ton on Navy ships. The focus is placed primarily on nutrition, then taste, then presentation. Only command or flag officers can expect fresh food. The Marines and Army have combat rations that are designed for maximum caloric intake with minimal volume; combat armored or vacc suited troops even have liquid rations designed to be eaten with armor on. These too are useful barter items and often find their way into public consumption, particularly during humanitarian or relief missions.

- Civilian ships run the gambit of surplus military rations, S-Rats, or the equivalent civilian fare; a few carry fresh foods for high passage passengers. Most civilian freighters are outfitted with rudimentary auto-chefs that store and prepare the TV dinners; they're normally the size of a two house-hold refrigerators (1dT). Of course, there are upgrades available, but they cut into the profits unless carrying finicky passengers. The rations available from starport outfitters are normally similar to microwave dinners where quality and flavor are a matter of cost; I imagine some of these microwave dinners could be quite good, based on what is available today.

Still, I normally envision the an office breakroom with a couple of vending machines, a coffee maker, and a microwave oven being typical of what is on most freighters, with crew ensuring their favorites are onboard.

- Yachts, liners, and safari ships normally have the best fare; I intentionally build large food prep and storage areas on these type ships. Most safari ships have walk in freezers to keep meat and trophies in until reaching civilization; the freezers are filled with food for the journey out and are normally empty by the time they are needed for game.

 

[chshrkt]

Still, I normally envision the an office breakroom with a couple of vending machines, a coffee maker, and a microwave oven being typical of what is on most freighters, with crew ensuring their favorites are onboard.

I have installed a Chupaqueso vending machine on the 600ton Mercenary Cruiser that my players will be 'encountering' during their adventures.

 

[CosmicGamer]

IMTU: ...

Thank you Ran Targas, and everyone else for sharing. Lots of good posts and ideas I can use to fill in details IMTU.

IMTU, I have a version of a vending machine where you select several foods and it preps (heats, unpacks, puts it on plate and tray) then dispenses it. 'Lets see, I'll take the dried ham, powdered potatoes, frozen veggies, a cup of coffee and an oatmeal cookie.' Normally there is a machine in each common area but on a higher class ship the machine has many more choices, is in a secluded area, and the steward takes orders and comes back with the food.

- The machines can store cold items like ice cream.
- The machines can be hooked up to a water supply but also have options for water storage built in that can be refilled manually (pour in water) or with replaceable water bottles (think water cooler bottle).
- The machines can dispense ice.
- The machine can mix powdered drink with water to provide a wide variety or drinks. Juices, milk, cofee, tee, just about anything. 'Would you care for a glass of chilled Spinward wine?'
- The machines can display messages and / or use wireless communication to notify when supplies are getting low. (Also can be used to create a 'shopping list' for reordering.)
- The machines are hooked up to ships power but have backup battery power too.
- The machines have a sensor and will not prepair unpackaged items when at zero-g.

 

[kafka47]

I tend to allow players to choose - if they want to eat rations for a week, then I let them. If they want a kitchen they can have it but sacriface the necessary cargo space, sometimes, I even allow hi-tech wonders - a pill for each meal that contains all the necessary nutrition for that meal. At the end of the week in jumpspace they are more than ready for that groat roti and the motivation is enough to keep them planetside as opposed to pick up cargo and run off. Also, allows the seqway to the infamous Starport Bar.