JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Air Force and Army culinary teams challenged each other for a Top Chef Competition Sept. 23, 2016 at the Resolute Dining Facility on Fort Eustis, Virginia.
The competition gave the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary)’s 10th Transportation Battalion, and the 633rd Force Support Squadron a chance to gain new skills as they competed against each other for the title of Top Chef.
“Cooks are not always given the recognition that they deserve,” said
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Young, 10th Battalion commander. “This is their opportunity to shine and show the skills that they have. This friendly competition makes us all better as we move forward.”
Both teams were focused as they chopped vegetables and herbs, seared meat and meticulously plated their dishes.
This quarter’s competition is the final competition for fiscal year 16. The Army board winners will compete against the previous quarter winners in an annual competition.
Although this event may seem small it carries some pretty high stakes for its competitors. The winner of the annual event gets a slot at the culinary school at Fort Lee. For a food service specialist this an opportunity to take their career to the next level.
The competition involved customers sampling from both teams’ menus, while keeping the identity of the team that cooked the meal hidden. The diners then voted on the food they liked the most, and voted for the winner of the Diner’s Choice award.
Before the announcement of the winning team, Command Sgt. Maj. Quillar Ransom, 7th TB (X) command sergeant major, started by thanking the Air Force for coming out.
“You can cook.” Ransom said. “I’m glad that these individuals got a chance to come together and show their skills.”
Ransom and Young presented the Army’s Culinary Chef Board winners with Army Achievement Medals and then announced that the Army was the winner of the Diner’s Choice Award.
After the medal presentations it was time to announce the Army as the winners of the Commander’s Cup.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Youngs, 633rd FSS food service operations section chief and contest judge, said, “It’s all about food service. What we say in the Air Force is we fuel the fight. That is what we do. Food is a very important part of what we do, so is competition and so is stress. I know that is what these teams went through today, but it makes them better leaders, better Airmen, better Soldiers, Young concluded.”