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87th FSS vies for coveted Hennessy Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 87th Force Support Squadron's Food Service Team competed for the Hennessy Award, an Air Force-level food service award, during an evaluation Feb. 11-13, 2014, here.

The John L. Hennessy trophy is awarded to outstanding food service programs in multiple categories, including Region One which is the category the 87th FSS hopes to achieve through their implementation of rigorous standards.

"It's our third year to compete for the Hennessy award at the Air Force level and we have won once before," said 2nd Lt. Kaitlyn Clemens, 87th FSS Food Service officer from Sparta, N.J. "The steps we need to take to win are everything we should already accomplish on a regular basis as well as keeping our people up to speed."

The dining facility staff believes they will win the award based on their dedication to excellence and superb customer service rather than taking additional measures.

"The Air Force has taught us plenty about customer service and the method I find is most beneficial is listening to the customer," said Edward Lewis, 87th FSS Food Service first cook. "Listening to their feedback and tailoring their wants and needs around that entices our customers to keep coming back and also attracts service members of all branches from across the joint base."

The 87th FSS Food Service is relatively unique in the competition being one of a few food service programs that caters to a wide audience, including four military branches, active-duty military, guard members, reserve military, civilians, retirees, ROTC cadets and Civil Air Patrol members.

"They want to eat here because we have the best food," said Lewis. "We have the best food because we take pride in our cooking."

Customer satisfaction is a pinnacle aspect for the award criteria. The evaluators gauge customer satisfaction by asking customers about their experience during meal times.

Food Service staff ensure customer satisfaction throughout the year with written interactive customer evaluations and listening to oral feedback from patrons.

The 87th FSS Food Service maintains high standards by running a tight training program.

"The hands-on training we have here is tailored specifically to the base and entices me a lot more than technical training," said Airman 1st Class Michael Miko Borbon, 87th FSS Food Service shift leader and cook from the Philippines. "I got a lot more excited about my job here during training and that translates to a happy customer."

Borbon and his colleague Airman 1st Class Isata Tucker, 87th FSS Food Service shift leader and cook, completed shift leader training here shortly before the competition evaluation giving them the edge to stand out as leaders in food service.

"The additional training allowed me to understand how I can help my coworkers and, in turn, the customers," said Tucker. "We focus on meticulousness in our preparation, cooking and cleaning to provide them with the best experience."

The inspectors paid close attention to all aspects that go on behind the scenes in the kitchen. Inspectors review food preparations, cleanliness and other aspects that contribute to maintaining and exceeding food service standards.

The dining facilities provide community members quality food from a familiar face through harsh weather and budget crises. The 87th FSS Food Service members say they will continue to do so regardless of the competition's outcome.