by
Senior Airman Sarah Gregory
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
5/12/2006 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- For
the past 50 years, the National Restaurant Association and the
Hennessy Travelers Association have honored the special achievements
of Air Force food service facilities worldwide. This year, they are
recognizing one of Aviano’s own.
Tech. Sgt. Derrick Wells, 31st Services Squadron La Dolce Vita
dining facility manager, was one of five U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Airmen selected for the award and will attend the award presentation
in Chicago May 20. The Hennessy trophy is an annual award presented
to Air Force installations with the best food service programs. The
award is based on the entire scope of an installation’s food service
program with winners displaying excellence in management
effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, employee and
customer relations, resource conservation, training and safety
awareness. Each installation is evaluated by teams consisting of
members from the National Restaurant Association, the Society for
Foodservice Management, the International Food Service Executives
Association and the Air Force.
Each team selects an Air Force military
food service person who exemplifies the highest standards of
professionalism, attitude, and culinary skill as the recipient of
the award of excellence.
Sergeant Wells, who is constantly looking for ways to improve menu
items, the facility’s atmosphere and its overall appearance, said
that winning has been an honor. “This is a career milestone that not
many people in food service achieve,” he said.
With 11 years of food service experience and five deployments under
his belt, Sergeant Wells has had plenty of practice perfecting his
skills. Besides his professional knowledge, Sergeant Wells has a
passion for food and cooking, which goes back to his early
childhood.
“My love for cooking began when I was young. To help raise their six
children, my grandparents worked long hours. My mother and
grandmother would tell me stories about life during that time and
how difficult it was to make ends meet. Payday was at the end of the
week and nothing brought the family closer than good food,” Sergeant
Wells said. “Sunday was a special day. The family would attend
church and then gather around the dinner table for a big meal.
Sunday dinners were like Thanksgiving. My grandmother and mother’s
ability to cook was nothing short of art. Each meal was a creation
of beauty and flavor that truly united the family.
”Sergeant Wells turned that love of cooking into a successful
military career and has received several other awards such as
USAFE’s 2005 Services Technician of the Year and the 31st Services
Squadron NCO of the Year for 2005.
“Sergeant Wells is an outstanding food service manager who attacks
all challenges with enthusiasm and dedication,” said Maj. David
Kretz, 31st Services Squadron commander.
As the La Dolce Vita dining facility manager, Sergeant Wells
directly leads 29 personnel and is responsible for maintaining the
$1.2 million facility, including the flight kitchen.
In addition to being recognized at the national awards ceremony,
Sergeant Wells will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
As part of the 50th year Hennessy Anniversary celebration, the
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has
established a special scholarship program. These scholarships were
established to encourage study and careers in the restaurant and
food service industry after completing their Air Force service, and
can be used at a restaurant and hospitality management or culinary
school of the recipient’s choice any time over the next five years.
Sergeant Wells said that although the recognition is nice, it’s the
satisfied customers that really count.
“Every day I am at work and I see the smiling faces of the dining
patrons I know that I made the right decision [to join the
service],” he said. “I strive each day to make every meal like
Sunday dinner at grandmother’s house. Even if it is only for a
moment, I want my customers to forget about their daily problems and
enjoy good food.” |