Chisholm Trail Dining Facility up for Hennessy Trophy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell is this year's Air Mobility Command nominee for the single facility category of the John L. Hennessy Trophy Award - a competition that determines the top food service operation in the Air Force.

An inspection team evaluates each nominated facility for excellence in management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation and safety-awareness training.

"This is the best award for our career field," said Airman 1st Class Almyr Zamudio, 22nd Force Support Squadron Food Service apprentice. "It boosts our confidence to know we are competing against other bases."

McConnell will compete against six other bases and has been preparing for the past two months.

On Feb. 21 and 22, 2012, a three-member evaluation team representing the Air Force Services Agency and the food service industry visited the Chisholm Trail Dining Facility and evaluated the food service program.

The competition is named in honor of John L. Hennessy, who was recognized as one of the nation's most capable and respected leaders in the hotel and restaurant field. In 1943, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Hennessy as Chairman of the War Food committee to develop food service systems capable of sustaining millions of military personnel.

The result of the committee's efforts was the establishment of the Hennessy Trophy in 1956, as the highest Air Force award given for food service excellence.

"More than anything it's about pride," said Tech. Sgt. Tracy Winter, 22nd Force Support Squadron Food Service superintendent. "It's a competition with bases worldwide, so if we win, it would mean a lot."

McConnell is competing against bases from six commands: Beale Air Force Base, Cali., Air Combat Command; Kunsan Air Base, Korea, Pacific Air Forces; Schriever AFB, Colo., Air Force Space Command; Malmstrom AFB, Mont., Air Force Global Strike Command; Tyndall AFB, Fla., Air Education Training and Command; and Incirlik AB, Turkey, U.S. Air Forces in Europe.