By Debbie Aragon
AFIMSC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Department of the Air Force announced its 2024 John L. Hennessy Trophy Awards for food service excellence March 4.
The awards in their 68th year, are presented to installations with the best food service programs based on their display and execution of excellence in management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality and production, employee and customer relations, training and safety awareness.
To select the best of the best, the Air Force Services Center dispatches evaluation teams consisting of AFSVC food and beverage experts, and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation civilian culinary professionals. The teams then conducted comprehensive evaluations of the top four nominated installation food operations in each region.
Congratulations to the 2024 winners:
Region 1 (East): Air Mobility Command’s 22nd Force Support Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kansas,
Region 2 (West): Pacific Air Forces’ 374th Force Support Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan,
Air Force Global Strike Command’s Best Missile Feeding Operation: 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s Food Service Small Site Award Winner: 701st Munition Support Squadron, Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium
During their visits to the nominated installations, the evaluation teams encountered teamwork, consistent quality, clean inviting atmospheres and pride, said Cynthia Woods, Region 1 team chief and AFSVC’s Air Force Food and Beverage Plans, Procedures and Strategic Initiatives chief.
“All the facilities we visited were outstanding, and each one stood out in its own way,” said Tony Kaszuba, civilian traveler and Region 2 evaluator. “If I had to narrow it down, I would say best things we saw were the attention to detail, outstanding customer service and pure ownership to their mission of fueling our Airmen.”
When speaking with customers to get feedback on their DFAC dining experience, it wasn’t just the nutritious, satisfying meals they appreciated, Woods said.
“At McConnell, for example, guests really appreciated the simple ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Afternoon’ greeting upon arrival and loved the communication between servers and customers while preparing food,” she said.
“The attention to detail, food quality and hospitality really stood out across all bases,” Kaszuba said. “No matter how difficult a day an Airman was having, when they left the DFAC they were well nourished, served with a smile and ready to conquer the next task.”
Be the first to comment