Services competes for Hennessy Award Published Feb. 8, 2007 By Beth Young Hilltop Times staff HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- This week, the entire scope of Hill's food service program will be scrutinized and evaluated, yet those who manage the program have done nothing different to prepare. "We are ready because we do not only prepare for evaluations, we are prepared everyday," said Mike McCoy, Hill food service officer. "In the event of an evaluation we don't have to change anything, because we are always doing the right thing." With this evaluation, Hill will be competing for the John L. Hennessy trophy, which is an annual award presented to the installation that has the best food service program in the Air Force. Areas that will be assessed are management effectiveness, force readiness support, food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training, and safety awareness. "We are more than ready for this evaluation," said Ray Parr, 75th Services Division marketing director. "The (Hillcrest Dining) facility was actually built in 1960 and in that time they have served over 30 million meals here." In addition to the Hillcrest, the four evaluators will also visit Fast Eddies and the Oasis, during their four-day stay at Hill. The evaluators are from the Air Force Services Agency Headquarters, National Restaurant Association and International Food Service Executives Association. Hill's food management believes this base is the best and is confident about how it will do in the competition. "All you need to do is ask our customers," Mr. McCoy said. "They will testify to this being the best facility in the U.S. Air Force. They always ask us, why doesn't food at the other bases taste like your food?" With an average of 17 years of experience, the employees of Hill's food service facilities know what they are doing and are what Judy Kline, project manager, is most proud of in the food service program. "Our employees do an excellent job," she said. According to the 75th Services Division, the Hennessy Trophy Awards Program has three essential purposes. To promote excellence in customer service and meal quality throughout the service by recognizing outstanding dining facility operations and management, inspire high morale, motivation, mission support, and a professional image through pride and spirited competition; and improve management concepts and practices. Hill is competing in the multiple category against the following bases: Mildenhall Air Base, Mildenhall, United Kingdom; Keesler Air Force Base, Gulfport, Mississippi; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Mountain Home, Idaho; Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington and Osan Air Base, Pyongtack, Korea. Hill is the third base to be visited and the results of the evaluation should be revealed sometime in spring.