ALCOAST 465/25 - NOV 2025 SELECTION OF THE 2026 COAST GUARD CULINARY TEAM (CGCT)

R 191630Z NOV 25 MID120012219965U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 465/25
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: SELECTION OF THE 2026 COAST GUARD CULINARY TEAM (CGCT)
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 251221Z SEP 25/ALCOAST 399/25
1. In accordance with REF (A), a selection board convened to review
candidates for participation on the 2026 CGCT.
2. We are pleased to announce the selection of 2026 CGCT:
     a. Team Manager:
          (1) CSC Miriam Bingham, Sector Southeastern New England
     b. Team Members:
          (1) Team Captain, CSC Zachary Hassilev, DHS EDF
          (2) CS1 Thomas Predmore, BASE Charleston
          (3) CS2 Ryan Baker, CGC PETREL
          (4) CS3 Afeiyah Kamall, CGC JOSHUA APPLEBY
          (5) CS3 Kenny Carpio-Lazo, CGC VIGILANT
     c. Junior Team Members:
          (1) CS3 Eizen Hall, CGC ASPEN
          (2) CS3 Josephine Afshar, Commandant Flag Mess
          (3) CS3 Trenton Ortiz, BASE Galveston
          (4) CS3 Kucirious May, SFO Eastern Shore
          (5) SNCS Trinity Rice, CGC OAK
     d. Nation Title Competitors:
          (1) Chef of the Year, CS2 Ryan Baker
          (2) Pastry Chef of the Year, CS2 Afeiyah Kamall
          (3) Student Chef of the Year, CS3 Trenton Ortiz
          (4) Student Pastry Chef of the Year, CS3 Josephine Afshar
     e. Alternate Team Members:
          (1) CS1 Caitlin Hall, Southeast District REPFAC
          (2) CS2 Shawn Esin, CGC GEORGE COBB
          (3) CS1 Faith Langdon, CGC HEALY
          (4) CS3 Kyle VanDalen, CSA Yorktown
          (5) CS3 Ian Greaves, CGC MELVIN BELL
     f. Team Mentors:
          (1) CSCS Nichol Billow, ASC
          (2) CSC John Toman, Executive Support Vice President Quarters
          (3) TAC Danielle Hughes, RUITOFF NYC
3. I would like to thank the commands who supported these high
performing CSs. Congratulations to the members selected for the
2026 Coast Guard Culinary Team and to all of the applicants
for their exceptional professionalism in the CS rating. Each of
you are commended for your extraordinary performance.
4. COMDT (CG-CMO-3) POC is CSCS Chris Ricketts at (206) 820-2843 or
CulinaryProgram@uscg.mil.
5. RADM Paul Jung, Chief Medical Officer (CG-CMO), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.