2014 Hennessy Award winners announced

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the best food service programs in the Air Force with the selection of the 2014 John L. Hennessy Award for food service excellence.

For the 58th consecutive year, the Hennessy Award recognizes the best food service programs in the Air Force, as well as individual excellence.

The winner from Region 1 (East) is Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and the winner from Region 2 (West) is Edwards AFB, Calif.

Additionally, Buechel Air Base, Germany, was selected as the best small site within U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom AFB, Mont., was selected as the best missile feeding operation within the Air Force Global Strike Command and Patrick AFB, Fla., was selected as the best in Air Force Food Transformation.

"Our organization develops new programs to support Airmen at every installation and we ensure personnel follow and integrate industry best practices into their day to day operations," said Jim Krueger, the Air Force Personnel Center food and beverage chief.

According to Bill Spencer, the appropriated fund operations, food and beverage section chief, the Hennessy Award program has three essential purposes: promote excellence in customer service and food quality throughout the service by recognizing outstanding dining facility operations and management; inspire high morale, motivation, mission support and a professional image through pride and spirited competition, as recognized by industry peers; and to improve management concepts, and practices through industry partner feedback and recommendations.

"The Hennessy Award is based on the entire scope of an installation's food service program," Spencer said. "Our winners display excellence in management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, training and safety awareness."

In addition, Airmen from both regions were selected for the Hennessy Travelers' Association Award of Excellence. Each team selects an Air Force military food service person for the award of excellence for exhibiting the highest standards of professionalism, attitude and culinary skill.

Nominees for the HTA Award of Excellence in Region 1 include:

Senior Airman Jade Truett, 55th Force Support Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
Airman 1st Class Amy Klaviter, 509th Force Support Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Airman 1st Class Isata Tucker, 87th Force Support Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
Airman Savannah West, 786th Force Support Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany

Nominees for the HTA Award of Excellence in Region 2 include:

Senior Airman Thomas McGarry, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
Senior Airman Norman Martinez, 374th Force Support Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
Airman 1st Class Krizann Hinahon, 355th Force Support Squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.

Each of the HTA nominees are provided a continuing education scholarship to attend the annual Armed Forces Forum for Culinary Excellence held each year at the Culinary Institute of America at the Greystone campus in St. Helena, Calif., October 2014.

"The HTA is honored to not only recognize each year outstanding individuals making a difference for their country but the customers they serve," said Dick Hynes, the co-chair of the National Restaurant Association's military hospitality subcommittee and HTA president. "These individuals really make the difference and inspire those around them to simply provide the best they can for their customers, day in and day out. We look forward to hosting them at Greystone during the week long AFFCE."

For more information about the Hennessy Travelers Association visit www.HennessyAward.org. For more information about other quality of life programs visit www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.