An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hennessy evaluators to visit Fairchild

  • Published
  • By Amanda Kraus
  • 92nd Services Squadron marketing
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Fairchild Air Force Base welcomes the Air Force Hennessy Evaluation Team today. The team will spend the next five days in the company of 92nd Services Squadron Food Service Operations, looking at all aspects of its service and ultimately deciding if the title "Best Food Service in the Air Force" and accompanying trophy will rest here.

"The Airmen and their civilian counterparts are proud to represent our command in the Hennessy trophy competition," said Senior Master Sgt. David Walker, 92nd food service superintendent. "They've really stepped up and taken ownership of the preparation involved in an evaluation of this level. From their exemplary teamwork and flexibility in the kitchen to planning related official and social functions that'll give the team a taste of the Northwest, they've done it all."

Morale is high throughout the Warrior Inn and Roger A. Ross Dining Facilities, and the food professionals have taken their motto "We've Got HEART" personally, according to Sergeant Walker.

HEART stands for Hardworking, Energetic, Airmen, Refueling, The Best - a theme that food service officer 1st Lt. Jamila Brown believes each person subscribes.

"(Our Airmen and staff) are passionate about what we do and the mission we have to perform," she said. "We are going to give our absolute best every day to ensure the best customer service and satisfaction for Fairchild."

Airman Tiffiany Johnson, first cook and baker at the Roger A. Ross Memorial Dining Facility, concurs and thinks that HEART can be applied to every Airman, regardless of duty or rank.  "I believe it stands for who we are," Airman Johnson said. "Working hard at what we do makes us stand out."

During the evaluation, Fairchild's Food Service will undergo scrutiny in the areas of kitchen operations, serving and dining operations, training, personnel and readiness, sanitation and repair maintenance, as well as overall management effectiveness. Every Air Force Food Service program operates using a standardized procedure checklist and standardized recipe cards, so competition is fierce. The competition's first purpose is to promote excellence in customer service and meal quality. The second goal is to inspire high morale, motivation, mission support and a professional image through pride and spirited competition.

The annual award is names for John Lawrence Hennessy, a man recognized by U.S. presidents as a leader in his field and one of the nation's most capable and respected hotel and restaurant executives.

It's presented to the installation with the best (appropriated) food program in the Air Force, in both single and multiple-facility categories.

"This year's competition is really serious," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Gorman, Warrior Inn Dining Facility manager. "The difference between winning and losing is usually less than one point. This is Fairchild's ninth time competing since '95, so we've got some experience to back us up, and (we have) motivated troops."

The Hennessy program also allows the sharing of valuable information between travelers, who are recognized leaders in the civilian food service industry, and base-level food service personnel. Achieving success in the Hennessy competition is a reflection of pride, commitment, and motivation to be the best.