Dining facilities compete for prize

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After capturing the honor at the Air Mobility Command level, the 60th Force Support Squadron's dining facilities are competing at the Air Force level for the Hennessy Award.

The honor rewards the Air Force's best dining facilities.

Such success is not a novelty here at Travis. The AMC-level victory marked the eighth time the base has done so since 2001. In 2006, Travis was named the Air Force's top dining facility.

"It takes a lot of hard work, team dedication, discipline and hunger to get to that level," said Master Sgt. Ruben Quinterofarias, the assistant dining facility manager at Travis. "The Hennessy competition is the Super Bowl of Air Force dining."

Brian Floyd, deputy director of the 60th Force Support Squadron, said Team Travis has a reputation of success.
"Our record speaks for itself," he said.

The Travis program is a large one. The base serves between 600 and 800 meals per day between its two dining areas, the Travis Sierra Inn Dining Facility and Golden Bear Flight Kitchen, Sergeant Quinterofarias said. This makes Travis the largest food-service operation in AMC.

What distinguishes Travis from the competition are the accoutrements it provides, Mr. Floyd said. At the Sierra Inn facility, the television sets are set up with sound boxes so Airmen can listen to different channels while they eat. Also, the facility provides a wireless computer station so members can surf the Web or check their e-mail.

These features were added based on customer input, an area in which Mr. Floyd feels the base excels.

"We listen to the customers," he said. "We're always trying to improve the appearance of the facility and the programs we offer."

Mr. Floyd also noted the dining program also accommodates special functions such as holiday celebrations, Airmen appreciation dinners and heritage month luncheons.

Sergeant Quinterofarias said Travis is typically in the running for the Hennessy award because its dining program gives its Airmen the opportunity to "explore their culinary knowledge."

"We challenge their skills and make them set the example on a daily basis when making food and dealing with the customers," he said. "An open mind, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are what are needed. A little bit of passion for the hard job helps a bit too."

Part of what distinguishes Travis from other dining facilities, too, Sergeant Quinterofarias said, is taking pride in making sure the Airmen eat well in a comfortable facility with a quality selection of entrees, desserts and beverages from which to choose. The services also include around-the-clock provision of choices and flight meals for aircrews and shift workers that include hot meals, sandwiches and prepackaged food products.

The Hennessy Award, established in 1957, the award is named for John L. Hennessy, a restaurateur who lead a special commission to improve military food services.

The base's dining facilities next compete at the Air Force level. Inspectors arrived Wednesday to begin the base's evaluation.

"I have no doubt that all the team work that Sierra Inn and Flight Kitchen personnel put in on a daily basis will show the inspectors why we are the best of the best," Sergeant Quinterofarias said.

The winner is expected to be announced later this spring.