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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class
Zachary Wilson, 60th Force Sup-
port Squadron, prepares grilled U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dariella Wil-
cheese sandwiches during lunch lams, 18th Force Support Squadron dining
at the Sierra Inn Dining Facility at facility shift lead (center), directs a coworker
Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (Photo Station Messing meal-card cus- Turner: After the Na- at the Marshall Dining Facility, at Kadena Air
by Louis Briscese, USAF, 60th Air tomers have the value added of tional Restaurant Associa- Base, Japan. (Photo by Senior Airman Quay
Mobility Wing Public Affairs.) Drawdy, USAF, 18th Wing Public Affairs.)
using our Non-Appropriated Fund tion Military Foundation
Food and Beverage operations for authorized “Campus was dissolved, the National Restaurant Association’s Edu-
Dining” options. Not everything on the menu is offered to cational Foundation made the military a formal part of
them, but both regular and healthier dine-in options are its charter, ensuring our military men and women have
available via their meal card. With more desirable menus access to training and ultimately job placement within
and greater access to food across an installation, our uti- the hospitality and restaurant industry. The foundation’s
lization rates have increased by more than 15 percent support of the military grew from a decades-long partner-
across the Air Force. ship with the Hennessy Trophy Awards program, which
recognizes food service excellence within the Armed Forces.
Government Food Service: Give us an update on imple- This partnership with the Air Force was established in 1956.
menting Corporate Automated Food Enterprise (CAFE). What The program has expanded to include all branches of the
is being learned and how is the information influencing military and includes training and support through the
menus and recipes? development of a host of military hospitality programs.
Today, the foundation provides training and support
Turner: We completed CAFÉ modernization across the to military members and promotes hospitality/restaurant
Air Force, reconnecting us with our 261 appropriated fund career opportunities for veterans and their spouses. The
Food and Beverage operations. With our global network Air Force cherishes this long-standing relationship and we
back online, we’ve modernized our worldwide menu with believe this is the oldest military-industry partnership in
new ingredients, recipes, menus and concepts, providing promoting program improvements while recognizing excel-
our legacy customers similar access to those items found lence. The foundation has hosted the Armed Forces Forum
to be successful under Food 2.0. In addition, we’re beta- for Culinary Excellence since 2007 when the Hennessy
testing credit card processing in our legacy dining facility Travelers Association Educational Foundation partnered
operations. Under Food 2.0, we have found almost 70 with the National Restaurant Association, dissolving the
percent of paying customers are using plastic, and we feel Hennessy foundation and reorganizing into the Hennessy
this is an added customer benefit to our patrons. Travelers Association Historical Society.
Sharing industry passion, the National Restaurant Asso-
Government Food Service: Are there any plans to hold ciation Educational Foundation brings together outstanding
the next Armed Forces Food and Beverage Training Event? service men and women each year for the Armed Forces
Forum for Culinary Excellence. This annual event at the Cu-
Turner: Yes, we’re excited to announce we’re in the linary Institute of America Greystone Campus, St. Helena, in
process of seeking approval for the 2018 Armed Forces Food California’s Napa Valley, features hands-on cooking activi-
and Beverage training seminar to be held in San Antonio. ties, interactive seminars, mentoring and career coaching.
Once approved, dates will be announced. Students receive guidance and feedback from institute
instructors and leading food service executives, suppli-
Government Food Service: Talk about the relationship ers and other industry leaders. The weeklong educational
with the National Restaurant Association and its role in the program aims to develop the service members’ culinary
Hennessy and Forum for Culinary Excellence programming. skills. Seminars and cooking activities focus on areas that
–Continued

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GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • APRIL 2018