Tyndall chefs take home the Hennessy Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dustin Mullen
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall's food service team has been honored as the Air Combat Command recipient for the 2015 John L. Hennessy Award for Excellence in Air Force Food Service Operations.

"Every area of our food service operation is evaluated," said Master Sgt. Rebecca Wolf, 325th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight superintendent. "It's an intense 3-day competition. The competition is based off five broad areas and in total we have over 197 line items that are evaluated. This year is the 60th anniversary of this competition so it's a special year."

With innovation being a key part of the Air Force outlook, Tyndall's food-service Airmen are on the leading edge of change.

"Our team of true professionals exhibit excellent customer relations by revamping meal options and accommodations based on customer feedback," said Lt. Col. Johnathan Zulauf, 325th FSS commander. "Furthermore, they have benchmarked two dozen recipes for use Air Force wide and engineered the "specialty meal" concept, 10 of which being Air Force benchmarks, to offer variety and excitement to Team Tyndall's Airmen."

Wolf attributes the success of the team to its diverse staff.

"Since we have the right mix of people we can make the ideas a reality," she said. "It has given us an edge over our competitors. We have a mix of junior Airmen who are new to the military and foodservice and we have experienced NCOs who are training and leading the Airmen through the evaluation."

Along with the win in ACC, the team is now competing at the Air Force level. Last year, they took second place and this year they are hoping to take home the trophy.

"We have been prepping since we won best of ACC last year.  We have been improving our processes, implementing customer feedback and increasing training in food preparation over the last year," Wolf said.

"We are all working hard and coming together as a team," she continued. "I want [my staff] to know that all of their hard work up to this point is being recognized and they just have to continue to do their best.  The evaluators will see all of the dedication, comradery and passion that is present in our team."

Leadership within the 325th FSS noted the outstanding accomplishments of the team, offering nothing but praise.

"I'm extremely proud of the men and women who make up Tyndall's food service," said Zulauf. "The work my Airmen, both military and civilian, do is mission critical. They provide healthy meal options for Airmen day and night, those working on the flightline or in support, directly enabling the 325th Fighter Wing mission success."

As for any other units competing for awards, Wolf had some words of encouragement.

"Just believe that it's possible," she said. "Take a hard look at how you can improve your operations and be willing to make the changes.  Work on the team dynamic. No one can change the operation on their own. It has to be a team goal."