Service before self: 45th Space Wing leadership serve on Thanksgiving

45th Space Wing leadership serve a Thanksgiving meal at Patrick Air Force Base Riverside Dining Facility on Nov. 22, 2018. Airmen live by their core values, and the 45th SW leadership demonstrated Air Force core values by serving our community meals during the Thanksgiving holiday.

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45 FSS competes for Air Force’s best dining facility

Published Jan. 28, 2019
By 2nd Lt. Cailyn Schreck
45th Force Support Squadron

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- “The Best Never Rest” is not just the 45th Force Support Squadron’s motto, it’s the ticket to success in Air Force Food Service Operations.

For the fourth consecutive year, the 45th Space Wing’s Riverside Dining Facility is a top contender for the Air Force’s prestigious John L. Hennessy Award for excellence in Air Force Food Service, and we intend on winning the trophy again! Every year we set our sights higher and higher and we have not been disappointed yet.

On January 29-30, the Hennessy Award evaluators will be reviewing food service operations at Patrick Air Force Base. The team consists of four highly respected military and civilian experts in the food service industry: Senior Master Sgt. Tashon Taylor, Master Sgt. Katrina Ware, Dr. Jerry Chesser, California State Polytechnic University Pomona and Mr. Michael “Mike” Johnston, Senior Account Executive for Tyson Food.

As one of 22 bases in the Air Force to operate under a food service contract, the evaluators will judge the Riverside Dining Facility against both traditional and contracted food operations.

In determining the best food operations, the evaluators will review management effectiveness, force readiness and food quality.

Maj. Elizabeth Cramer, 45th FSS commander said, “Our customers are our top priority. We treat them like family, because at the end of the day, each one is one of our own.”

This year, the Riverside Dining Facility holiday meals broke records with more than 1,000 customers during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Our food service professionals take great pride in their ability to provide the ultimate dining experience. Whether it’s an Airman, a retiree or a civilian on base, the Riverside Dining Facility isn’t just a place to eat, it’s a conduit for comradery and the community to flourish.
"Being an Airman living on base can make you feel pretty far from home. I know I can count on the RDF for a healthy home-cooked meal, or for some comfort food cooked with love,” said Airman First Class Destiny Rodriguez, 45th Force Support Squadron customer support apprentice.

In 2018, Patrick Air Force Base’s Food Service Operations served more than 194,000 customers.

“We constantly strive towards innovation to improve our operations. Our team truly understands and demonstrates hard work and dedication each and every day,” said Cramer. “We are extremely honored and excited to host the Hennessy Evaluation team and to show them how the best truly never rest.”

Service before self: 45th Space Wing leadership serve on Thanksgiving