|
Team Hawaii cooks edge reigning Fort Bragg champs
By Sgt. Jorge Gomez
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 30, 2004) -- U.S. Army Hawaii
dethroned the three-time gold-medalists Fort Bragg, N.C., in the
2004 Installation of the Year Culinary Arts Competition held in
March at Fort Lee, Va.
Nearly two weeks of grueling competition came
to a grand finale March 19 when winners of the 14 categories and
subcategories were announced during an award ceremony.
“This is the only reason why we came here
-- to unseat Fort Bragg,” said Staff Sgt. Rene Marquis, Hawaii
team member. “The long hours and hard work paid off.”
Being part of the winning Installation of the
Year team was only half the joy for Marquis who was selected for
the U.S. Army Culinary Arts Team.
USACAT won the gold medal at the Culinary Olympics
October 2000 among 14 international military teams. The USACAT
will now set their eyes on defending the gold medal in the 2004
Culinary Olympics.
Another Hawaii team chef was selected for USACAT
-- Spc. Luisa Montero. She also won the Junior Chef of the Year
title.
“It was a tough competition because I was
going up against nine other Soldiers who had just as much potential
in winning the title,” Montero said.
In addition to winning five bronze medals and
a gold medal in the field food competition, Montero won a week
of training at La Cachette Culinary School in Germany.
With all the brass and crystal trophies bearing
weight on her, Montero said she dedicated her awards to Soldiers
deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially the food service
specialists.
For Pvt. Crystal Sidebottom, U.S. Army Europe
team member, winning the gold medal in the decorated celebration
cake category was a big surprise.
“I received a trophy for most artistic cake,
but I never imagined that I would even be recognized for it,”
Sidebottom said.
To her fellow Soldiers who wish to follow her
example, Sidebottom said they just need to always work hard and
keep a positive attitude, “because you never know what’s
going to happen.”
In the food service field for less than a year,
Sidebottom went home with two silver and two gold medals in addition
to three special awards including best culinary showpiece exhibit
award, special judges award for most artistic centerpiece and
the best of class award in contemporary pastry.
Sidebottom said she couldn’t wait to tell
her father about all the awards she won.
“My dad was a cook, and he inspired me to
pursue this career,” she said.
Lt. Col. Donald Vtipil, Army Center of Excellence,
Subsistence director, informed the audience of the rigid standards
upheld throughout the competition.
“The American Culinary Federation judges’
standards were our guidelines -- the toughest in the nation,”
Vtipil said.
“Competitors receive ACF recognition so
they can take pride in what they accomplish and feel confident
of their exceptional skills,” he added.
Col. William Jenks, Quartermaster Center and
School acting commandant, addressed the competitors and reminded
them of the importance of their mission for the Army.
“Your primary mission is to the fuel the
warrior. It is evident that you take your mission very serious,”
Jenks said. “As competitors you have perfected your food
preparation skills. I charge each of you to pass on these skills
to your fellow food service specialists.”
Certified Master Chef Stephen Miller, who spoke
on behalf of the ACF judges, said he was not only impressed with
the outcome of the competition but was also surprised to see the
older food service specialists take time to mentor the newer Soldiers.
“I saw chefs who had the experience and
potential to earn more medals but instead sacrificed those opportunities
to help out the younger chefs,” Miller said.
“Winning medals is great; however, the education
you receive by participating in the competition, medal or not,
has a far greater value,” he added. “Remember that you
are all winners.”
2004 Installation of the Year
Gold -- U.S. Army Hawaii
Silver -- Fort Bragg, N.C.
Bronze -- Fort Bliss, Texas
2004/2005 USACAT Selection
Master Sgt. Mark Warren, U.S. Army Europe
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Magnin, U.S. Army War College
Sgt. 1st Class David Russ, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Staff Sgt. Rene Marquis, U.S. Army Hawaii
Staff Sgt. Josua Rine, U.S. Army Europe
Spc. Scott Graves, U.S. Army Europe
Spc. Matthew Flemister, Alaska
Spc. Luisa Montero, U.S. Army Hawaii
Spc. Todd Bohak, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Karen Glanzer, U.S. Army Hawaii
Spc. Carlene Robidoux, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. Joseph Oberle, U.S. Army Europe
Pfc. John Page, Korea
(Editor's note: Sgt. Jorge Gomez wrties for the
Fort Lee Traveller newspaper.)
Back
To Resources
|
