Mmmm Mmmm Good: Sheppard food services to compete for AF Hennessy Award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard's food services earned the opportunity to compete for the 2007 John L. Hennessy Award for best operation in the Air Force when it was recently named the best in the command. 

When asked how Sheppard pulled off the win in Air Education and Training Command, Gabrielle Perry, food service officer for the 82nd Services Division, had no problem bragging. 

"We're the best," she said simply. 

To feed its Airmen in Training and permanent party, Sheppard offers five dining facilities, a central prep kitchen and a field feeding site. Workers are provided by the contractors of the Work Services Corporation. 

An inspection team from AETC visited Sheppard for two days, evaluating their performance in the following areas: management and efficiency; readiness and support; food quality; employee/customer relations; resource conservation; and training and safety awareness. 

"They looked at our facilities, the kitchen operations, our serving and dining operations, our training and management, and our sanitation and repair procedures," Ms. Perry said. 

While an exact score was not released, a process of elimination amongst all AETC bases led to Sheppard and Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, going head to head. The 82nd SVS was informed they beat the basic military training base in late November. 

Lucas Kellison, a cook's helper who has worked at Sheppard the last five years, says it's only right. 

"I believe we earned it, we work hard here," he said. "I hope we do win the big one. We're working even harder around here in preparation for it, making sure everything's perfect." 

Ms. Perry said she believes it was a win the entire base contributed to. 

"It was a combination of everything. The WSC, the continued support from the (82nd Training) Wing, the dedication of our staff, our quality assurance evaluators - it was really a Team Sheppard effort," she said. 

The inspectors who will determine if Sheppard brings the Hennessy home are scheduled to visit in mid-February.