SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron held a ‘Chopped’ style competition to showcase the cooking skills of their Airmen at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
Five Airmen from across the 386th EFSS competed in the 30-minute cooking challenge, using a variety of ingredients found in the kitchen and a surprise brown bag with three items they had to use in their prepared dish.
The competition was used to showcase the capabilities of the Airmen who have been training in the kitchen to help facilitate a seamless transition, preparing for a week-long contract changeover, said Maj. Alison Calfee, 386th EFSS sustainment services flight commander.
“We want to ensure the transition is seamless, that we are still feeding our Airmen,” said Calfee. “We wanted to do something fun that showcases the hard work our Airmen have been putting in with their training.”
While sautéing and chopping, the Airmen turned a table of varying food into a restaurant style meal.
The competitors had to use three items from Meal Ready to Eat number five, which offered food products like chicken chunks, tortillas, candy and buffalo sauce, and they were able use any other ingredients found here in the base kitchen.
When the timer rang, the competitors presented their meal and gave the inspiration behind it to the five judges, who were leaders from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing.
“I wanted to have the opportunity to invite the different group deputies to market to the wing that we can do this,” said Calfee. “We are trained to do this, it is what we love and it’s why we do what we do.”
Each judge evaluated the meals based off of presentation, taste and creativity. After they finished they tallied the scores and announced the winner, a stuffed bell pepper made by Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Ott, 386th EFSS Desert Winds Dining Facility day shift lead, beating out variations of fajitas and other creations.
“Quite honestly, I didn’t know everyone in the EFSS had these skills,” said Col. Andrew Purath, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander. “Not only was this a fantastic job today, we greatly appreciate everything [the EFSS] does to make sure the mission happens and the Airmen are taken care of.”