Dining Facility prepping for Hennessy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  
Mission name: Hennessy II

The goal: Keep the trophy.

This is what Travis' Food Service team is aiming to do as they begin their quest for the 2007 Air Mobility Command Hennessy Award Monday.

The award, presented to the AMC base with the best food service program, evaluates all aspects of a facility's program including kitchen operations, serving and dining operations, training and readiness, sanitation and repair, and management.

Travis won the 2006 AMC and Air Force-level award and the right to be called, "Best of the Best," based on enthusiastic teamwork, innovative programs and customer-driven program excellence.

"Customer service is the most important aspect of our business," said Master Sgt. Edward Valledor, Sierra Inn Dining Facility manager.

According to Sergeant Valledor, the staff meets with the Dining Facility Advisory Council and base leadership each quarter to address concerns.

"By meeting with the Airmen and learning their likes and dislikes, it has helped us make changes and improvements to increase overall satisfaction," he said.

As a result, several programs were implemented based on customer suggestions, including weekly ethnic meals and new LCD-screen television sets, complete with wireless speakers.

"With the new system, instead of customers watching one set station, they can pick up a speaker at a docking station, place it on their table and listen to the television of their choice," said Sergeant Valledor.

Also, an internet café, complete with six wireless computer stations, is now available, providing Airmen a place to check their personal email or check out an article from their hometown news after eating their meal.

"We're trying to give the facility a 'home away from home' aspect," said Senior Master Sgt. Sonya Houston, 60th Services Squadron superintendent.

"By providing this service, we are adding convenience to the customer so that they don't have to rush off to finish up business. They can take care of business and have decent meal at the same time."
Although the staff and facility have implemented upgrades and improvements to increase customer satisfaction, according to Sergeant Valledor, most of it would have been impossible without assistance.

"Our partnership with the 349th Memorial Affairs Squadron and PRIDE Industries is outstanding," he said. "It takes a team effort to serve more than 2,400 meals a day and they are constantly going above and beyond to ensure the job is done correctly."

"Our relationship with our military counterparts is great," said Ms. Lisa Short, contract manager for Pride Industries. "The staff is awesome and we work together to solve problems and concerns."

According to Sergeant Valledor, in order to win the award, the staff must keep one thing in mind.

"We are here to serve the customer. If we listen to them and do our best to continuously improve customer service and satisfaction, everything else will fall into place."