SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Fighter Wing's Southern Eagle Dining Facility and Eagles Landing Flight Kitchen staff members are competing against the best facilities in the Air Force for the Hennessy multi-facility award.
This award, established in 1957, is the oldest military food service award. It was named after John L. Hennessary, who served as a special Hoover Commission Task Group advisor on the Military Food Service and Commissaries Board.
According to the Hennessy Web site, "To win - operations must exhibit sustained excellence in food service management, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training and safety."
The Hennessy Evaluation Team spent two days here examining and rating the staff based in five categories on the Food Service Evaluation Record. The staff earns points for their performance in each area. The inspected categories include kitchen operations, the highest weighted area worth 250 points. The evaluators rated the team on serving and dining operations, where they can earn 225 points. They can also receive 200 points based on the sanitation and repair maintenance management of the facility. Teams with outstanding training and readiness programs may gain up to 150 points. The final category the evaluation team rates on is management, where the staff can secure another 175 points.
"The evaluation team stated that so far we have had the most outstanding performers and were the most motivated," said Tech. Sgt. Ayana Hodges, 4th Force Support Squadron Southern Eagle Dining Facility assistant manager.
Special ACC recognition was given to Airman 1st Class Precious Avent. She earned the Hennessy Traveler award. Airman Avent, who hails from Henderson, is a 4th FSS Southern Eagles Dining Facility food services apprentice. For her selection as the ACC Hennessy Traveler, Airman Avent will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Culinary Institute of America at the Greystone Campus in St. Helena, Calif. While there she will receive specialized, hands-on training from culinary experts.
The following Airmen earned coins from the Hennessy Evaluation Team:
Staff Sgt. Heather Hendricks
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hall
Airman 1st Class Precious Avent
Airman 1st Class Kelcie Dillmann
In addition, the evaluators recognized the following dining facility and marketing staff members during their visit for outstanding performance:
Master Sgt. Danica Spriggs
Tech. Sgt. Ayana Hodges
SSgt Heather Hendricks
Staff Sgt. Sandi Townson
Staff Sgt. Miya Lawson
Senior Airman Jacqueline Smith
Senior Airman Larry Smith
Airman 1st Class Latanya Tidwell
Airman 1st Class Daniel Worthen
Airman 1st Class Leah Boodram
Airman 1st Class Sheniece Griffin
Stephanie Henry
Wimberly Raynor
Tommie High
Maria Edwards
Angela Broadhurst
Susan Britt
Rasada McKnight
Candace Marriner
Tammie Amon
Katherine Church
Cynthia Aldridge