A recent culinary retreat in Napa Valley honored 21 airmen and guardsmen from the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard and four Marines. The National Restaurant Association hosted the event, which was sponsored by Hobart and the Hennessy Travelers Association, among many others.
The event was held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, one of the world’s most unique and inspiring venues for culinary education. The airmen, guardsmen and Marines were selected for this honor during their forces’ foodservice excellence evaluation competitions—the John L. Hennessy Awards Program, the Senior Master Sergeant Kenneth Disney Award and the U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Gen. W.P.T. Hill Awards, respectively.
Evaluation teams nominate honorees during a month-long worldwide tour to select the “best of the best” in military foodservice operations. The evaluation teams consist of members from the National Restaurant Association board of directors, the Society for Foodservice Management, the International Food Service Executives Association and military headquarters staff.
The week-long forum provides honorees with a customized culinary educational experience, including hands-on classes, seminars, tours and a roundtable discussion with leaders of the restaurant and food-service industries. It also serves as an opportunity for the honorees to learn more about post-military culinary careers.
Thomas Wong, a Culinary Institute of America chef, and Carmen Anthony Vacalebre, president of Hennessy Travelers Association, awarded diplomas to the honorees at the event’s conclusion. Chef Wong complimented the honorees on their accomplishments and congratulated them on their teamwork and culinary skills.
The Hennessy Travelers Association’s mission is to develop, sponsor and promote educational opportunities for members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in hospitality assignments. It provides encouragement, educational opportunities, support and assistance to those who have an interest in pursuing a career path in the hospitality industry upon their departure from military service.