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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Face to Face with a Common Octopus


Dateline: San Salvador Island, Bahamas
11 January 2008 2127 EST

Headline: PROMINENT LOCAL CHEF CONSIDERS CAREER CHANGE

One of the Rochester area's most highly skilled food service professionals is reported to be considering a change of focus after spending nearly a week on this remote island paradise.

"I think it was the octopus that put me over the edge," said Chef Gerald M. Brinkman, after spending an intimate few minutes underwater with the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, while snorkeling at Dump Reef near the Gerace Research Station.

"There is nothing common about this creature,” says Brinkman, I'll never prepare Pulpo ala Gallega again." Brinkman described how the octopus was able to mimic not only the colors of the reef structure but the physical texture as well. "The damn thing made eye contact with me then put on a demonstration of camouflage and aquatic acrobatics that only millions of years of evolution could produce."

As part of a marine biology field-study class expertly led by Professor Ernie Mellas of Monroe Community College, Brinkman and fellow students are presented a dazzling array of marine habitats on twice daily excursions into the field.

While riding in the back of an open truck can be a little rough on the anatomy of the class' most senior member, the time spent in the water has been inspirational, says Brinkman. Gamboling with a sea turtle, night diving with the southern sting ray, and a close encounter with a nurse shark, are few of the more dramatic events the class has experienced so far.

But Mellas has presented a more intimate side of the marine environment as well. An extensive exploration of a grassy flat yielded an amazing variety of beach forming algae, while the beautiful tidal estuary was home to giant seastars, sergeant majors and baby barracuda, as well as interaction with ocean currents that left the class exhilarated and breathless.

The accommodations at the field station are more than adequate with clean sheets, a hot shower and three squares a day. Brinkman, no stranger to a good meal, has given the food production staff high marks for preparing decent chow for the close to 200 temporary residents of the station.

"In a place like this where most of the product comes in on a 'slow boat from China,' they are doing a pretty darn good job of keeping everyone happy. It has been rumored that Brinkman is considering trying to parlay his culinary expertise into an excuse to return to the station under the guise of culinary educator doing interdisciplinary field work of his own.

"While the accommodations may be good, the company is even better," says Brinkman of his association with Professor Mellas and roommate, Dr. Rich Stevens, Mellas' assistant and also a professor at MCC.  "We spend a lot of time talking about our mutual interests and that would be all things living."

Stevens, an avid birder and naturalist, is a great addition to the team. All are anxiously awaiting the planned trip to Gaulin Cay for viewing boobies and frigate birds as well as a turn by Green Cay, home to the endangered San Salvador iguana.

"I've always been interested in nature and the living world in all of its forms, especially the sea, " says Brinkman. "This trip has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to get out there and get close to things where they really live. I especially want to thank my family for their support in making this happen. I promised them that I wouldn't do anything stupid while I was out here and, short of jumping off a tor into the crashing surf, I have been true to my word." Brinkman paused, then added: "It was Mellas' idea, anyway."

EDITOR's NOTE: There's no hiding from MCC no matter what island you escape to. There's also no hiding from one's hidden talents. While the aforementioned article reads like a post in a San Salvadoran publication .... it's actually a note to family and friends from then-faraway Chef Brinkman. We're glad, Chef, that you, Ernie and Rich made the difficult decision to come back home!

Dianne E McConkey
College and Community Relations
01/22/2008