Colmer Pours Magic at Beverage Bar
GULFPORT, Miss. — At Colmer Dining Facility, the clatter of metal serving spoons and trays has been replaced by the hum of commercial grade blenders and the soothing pour of slow-steeped cold brew made to order.
Inside the newly renovated dining facility at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, not only are Sailors lining up for typical breakfast fare like eggs and pancakes, but also for custom iced coffee drinks, cold brews topped with frothy plant-based milk and protein-packed frappes capable of fueling them throughout the day.
"A few years ago, getting coffee at the galley meant one big urn of drip coffee that had been sitting on a warmer for a few hours," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Edward Heater, who manages the beverage station. "Now, we’re using specific recipes and making drinks to order. When a student comes in, sees the fresh ingredients and gets a drink made exactly the way they like it, you can see the immediate boost in morale."
The updated beverage menu is the latest quality of life upgrade following Colmer’s campus-style transformation under the Navy’s food service transformation initiative. While the overhaul introduced diners to fresh deli wraps, customizable poke bowls, and modernized serving stations, the dedicated “Colmer Coffee and Smoothie Bar” has quickly become one of the dining facility’s most popular hubs.
Serving a base filled with Navy, Army, and Air Force trainees, the coffee and smoothie station functions as a real-time test kitchen. Culinary specialists work with diners to craft custom drinks with fresh fruit and other ingredients tailored to their busy schedules, PT recovery, and the midday heat of the Gulf Coast.
“We open the galley to the students at 0545 and they make a line straight to our coffee station, so I think it’s pretty popular so far. We make lots of iced lattes, and blended frappes that students enjoy too.” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Ayomide Babajide also assigned to the dining facility.
The strawberry banana smoothie prepared with vanilla yogurt and fresh cut strawberries and bananas, and a caramel latte, a dark roast poured over crushed ice that includes rich caramel, and almond or 1% milk, are two of the most highly requested drinks among students.
Having access to high-quality iced drinks and smoothies made from fresh fruit without leaving the installation is a major quality of life upgrade for junior enlisted service members living in barracks onboard NCBC Gulfport.
"Being able to grab a coffee before muster without driving off base or spending eight dollars at a drive-thru makes a huge difference," said Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Cedric Waithini during a stop at the station. "It tastes incredible, it’s fast, and it gives you the energy you actually need to get through the long workday."
As Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) continues implementing the campus-style dining program across shore installations fleet-wide, NCBC Gulfport’s serves as a model of how modern equipment and culinary ingenuity can redefine the dining experience for Sailors, one handcrafted drink at a time.
Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, serves more than 10,000 service members, civilian personnel, veterans and family members. NCBC Gulfport is home to the Atlantic Fleet Seabees, the Naval Construction Training Center, the Expeditionary Combat Skills Training Center and nearly 40 tenants from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
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