Hennessy team visits Vandenberg

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Cindi Feldwisch
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs chief
The Air Force Hennessy Award evaluation team arrived Feb. 15 to evaluate the Breakers Dining Facility here for best single food service operation in the Air Force. 

Air Force dining facilities compete in two large categories, best single or multiple food service operations, and four special categories; Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, United States Air Forces Europe small site and best missile feeding center. All six competing categories have their own inspection team consisting of both military and National Restaurant Association members. 

The four evaluators were William D. Baker of the NRA, Owen Moore of the Society for Foodservice Management, Capt. Willie Rudd and Tech. Sgt. John Gill, both from Air Force Food Service Agency in San Antonio. This single facility evaluation team inspects seven bases in six weeks evaluating every meal period in two full days. Vandenberg was the fifth base out of the seven to be evaluated. 

"It is an honor being a civilian to have access to the bases," Mr. Owen said. "I am very impressed with the Air Force food service personnel and programs, the attention to detail, the pride the troops have in their jobs and the commitment to the mission." 

The team wasted no after just flying in from Turkey to begin the inspection process of Breakers run by Bill Reardon. 

The inspection team has two more bases to evaluate before the results are compiled and award nominees are submited for the 2007 Hennessy Trophy Competition. The winners will be announced this May as best single facility dining operation in the Air Force. 

The 51st Annual John L. Hennessy Awards ceremony will be held in Chicago, May 18 - 21, at the National Restaurant Association convention to recognize the best Air Force food service operations around the world.