301st Services captures first Hennessey win

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Bolen
  • 301st Fighter Wing
FORT WORTH, Texas --  The 301st Sustainment Services Flight members returned home to an enthusiastic welcome after receiving the coveted 2013 John L. Hennessy Trophy Award during a May ceremony in Chicago, Ill. The Food Services (FSV) team competed in the sweltering heat of last August's unit training assembly at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, to win the annual Air Force Reserve Command trophy presented for superior food service. 

"We are ecstatic with the win, said Senior Master Sgt. Grace Vargas, 301st FSV superintendent. "My team worked hard and it was well deserved." The team competed in a category with 39 other units with the field being narrowed down to only four for the actual hands-on competition.

The competition is a joint effort by the Air Force and civilian food-industry to promote improvements in Air Force food-service units while recognizing the best dining operations and personnel.

The John L. Hennessy Trophy competition is in its 57th year of competition but this year marks the first Hennessy win for the 301st FSV.

"I'm so proud to serve with this team," said Master Sgt. Treka Bunkley, facility manager for the team and 301st FSV NCOIC. "Preparing and competing for the Hennessy was hard work, but our team was determined to bring home the win and we did it!"

The 301st team expressed that to be nominated by a group of respected peers from the foodservice industry is considered an honor. 

"I was ecstatic when I heard we won because I knew we had it, hands down," said Senior Airman Brandon Wyrick, 301st FSV team member.

The Hennessy competition, started in 1956, is named to honor the late John L. Hennessy, a respected food industry executive. He encouraged competition among military dining facilities to inspire better management and support of military food services.

The competition recognizes the best dining halls in the Air Force but only recently to include the "SPEK" or Single Pallet Expeditionary Kitchen, that's where the 301st shined.

Two inspectors, one military and one civilian, evaluated the team on their preparation, deployment and activation of the SPEK. Next, they were graded on food preparation, quality, sanitation, service and meals produced.

Wyrick said that the team really worked hard researching Air Force Instructions, practicing on weekends and doing their homework to make sure everything was spot on.

"Patience, team work, team unity and practice, practice, practice were our keys to winning," said Wyrick.

While not all 301st FSV personnel competed they definitely cheered the team on. Capt. Julian Glover, 301st FSV flight commander, complimented the team and stressed that it was their teamwork that made this win a reality.

"We gave them the tools and the resources to be successful; If you give them that support they will be successful every time," said Glover.

"The Hennessy win shows that we truly among the best in the Air Force," said Vargas. "It's truly an honor."