NAF food service employees earn their chops Published July 15, 2011 SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- A historic partnership between Air Force Services officials and the Culinary Institute of America culminated in 11 nonappropriated fund Air Force food service professionals completing a culinary certification June 16. The Air Force Services Agency's food and beverage division partnered with the CIA San Antonio campus, allowing Air Force members to attend the campus's first in-residence ProChef Level I Certification course. The course is one way Air Force Services officials are ensuring food service employees have a solid culinary foundation at the operational level. The ProChef Certification acknowledges proficiency in culinary arts, personnel management and financial administration at three levels, each supporting a validation of knowledge accomplishment stage in the culinary career field. To date, more than 1,000 individuals worldwide have received individual accreditation. The two-week Level 1 course provided the NAF food service professionals with hands-on skill validation and the knowledge and credentials to advance their Air Force careers while raising culinary skills. "This vision and journey took years to accomplish," said Fred McKenney, AFSVA food and beverage division chief, during graduation remarks. "When we first met with the CIA on the possibility of pursuing this joint venture, the campus was literally under construction and the classrooms simply did not exist. Here we are today ... graduating the first Air Force class and the CIA's first class as well." CIA officials said the Air Force class represented a historic event for the San Antonio campus and for Air Force food service professionals. "This is a significant milestone ... and each of you will have a lasting memory and bragging rights of being the first in-residence ProChef level I class to receive your certification at this campus," said David Kellaway, CIA San Antonio managing director and certified master chef. McKenney challenged the graduating class to return to their duty stations and share the culinary and management techniques they learned so the career field improves globally as a team. "We serve the most important customers in the world, and this professional training and certification will not only make you individually a better person, but will have a positive impact on our customers," McKenney said. The next Air Force ProChef I certification class is scheduled for August. For more information about Air Force foodservice operations and other quality of life programs, visit www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com.