Hercules DFAC in running for command's Hennessy nod

  • Published
  • By Nicholasa Reed
  • 19th Force Support Squadron Marketing
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Little Rock AFB's Hercules Dining Facility is in the running to be the command's nominee for the Air Force's John L. Hennessy competition in the single category. 

The announcement was made by Air Mobility Command leaders late last week. Little Rock faces off against Travis AFB, Calif., to see whose cuisine reigns supreme in AMC. 

The nomination comes as no surprise to the honored food service team; they are confident with their recipe for success. 

"While the new facility and the state of the art equipment is great - it's the day-to-day outstanding customer service that separates Little Rock Food Service from the others," said Master Sgt. Robert Boettner, Hercules Dining Facility Food Service Section Chief. 

Inspectors will visit the installations between Monday and Oct. 30., to determine the best of the best and decide who will continue on to compete for the final victory at the Air Force-level competition. 

The Hennessy award has been presented to Air Force installations with the best food-service programs annually since 1956. Judges come from the National Restaurant Association, Society for Food Service Management and International Foodservice Executives Association. 

"This is a very prestigious, yet hard-to-win award. The evaluators don't pull any punches, but expect only the best in customer service and food quality," said Chief Master Sgt. Jimmy Daniels, 19th Force Support Squadron superintendent. 

Facilities are judged on the many ingredients of successful food service: kitchen operations, serving and dining operations, training personnel and readiness, sanitation and repair maintenance and management. 

Sergeant Boettner is convinced the operation would represent the command well in all of the categories. "While we go the extra mile to support local exercises, the joint fight, our Air National Guard partners and sister services; it is the continued emphasis we place on the meal card holders and student customers that we are most proud of," he said.

The facility is no stranger to excellence; in 2008 it earned the 19th Airlift Wing Federal Employee Team of the Year award. 

"We've been through some major changes in the last year, from switching commands to a new facility. Yet, the team has not missed a beat. In '02 we went up for the Air Force-level award and then again in '04: this year we intend to bring the trophy home," Chief Daniels said.