In 2018 Taylor Bros was commissioned for the complete removal and refit of the galley on the HMAS Choules. The refit included the removal and replacement of all ovens, fryers, grills and heavy-duty bratt pans. The project was predicted to take 14 weeks but was completed in 11 to fit between overseas deployments.
The upgrade allows for the preparation of up to 2100 meals a day and included a functional layout change from a forward-to-aft configuration to port-to-starboard, freeing up more space for preparation and storage, and allowing for easier preparation of meals when at sea.
Choules' role as a troop-carrying vessel requires the ship to be able to efficiently feed more than 350 embarked forces members in addition to her crew of more than 150 officers and sailors. The galley upgrades also mean the ship is better prepared to provide meals for large numbers of survivors during humanitarian and disaster relief operations, a critical part of Choules' role.