Airmen’s “passion for cooking” shows during food competition

Airman 1st Class Ray Cox, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron food service specialist, mixes a salad during the Chef of the Quarter competition at the Reef Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 31, 2010. The 1st SOFSS holds the competition each quarter for Airmen to demonstrate their cooking abilities and talents. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller)

Airmen's "passion for cooking" shows during quarterly food competition

Published Sept. 7, 2010
By Barbara Fuller
1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Four food service specialists from the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron contended for the "Chef of the Quarter" title during a cooking competition at the Reef Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field Aug. 31.

Airmen 1st Class Anthony Collier, Ray Cox, Justin Kiel and Michael McCarry added their own personal touches and flair to their dishes before being judged by a panel comprised of Hurlburt Field leadership.

The Airmen had 30 minutes to prepare and one hour to cook their ground beef meal, complete with ranch dressing, this quarter's surprise ingredient.

Once completed, Col. Daniel Zook, 1st Special Operations Wing vice commander; Chief Master Sgt. Dexter Mitchell, 1st SOW command chief; Col. Mark Van De Walle, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander and Chief Master Sgt. Brian Richardson, 1st SOMSG superintendent, had the challenging task of judging this quarter's competition.

While sampling the food, Colonel Zook rated the Airmen as "superb."

"Each meal was enjoyable, and it was difficult to judge," he said. "It is obvious these Airmen have a passion for cooking."

In the end, only one Airman could be named the winner. Airman Kiel's play on an old-standing favorite, Salisbury steak, complete with garlic butter mushrooms, brown gravy, roasted asparagus and ranch mashed potatoes earned him the title of "Chef of the Quarter." He recently switched to food services after serving in fitness for more than a year.

"I feel honored to win this competition," Airman Kiel said. "I wanted to give this my best shot, since I've only been in food services for one month."

Just like previous winners, Airman Kiel will have his picture posted on a plaque in the dining facility and receive a special one-day pass.

The 1ss SOFSS holds the competition each quarter for Airmen to demonstrate their cooking abilities and are judged on their entree's taste, presentation, creativity and originality. This was the first contest to be held at the Reef Dining Facility since it was closed for renovations in August 2009.