The best go head-to-head

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st MISSILE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Missile chefs representing the 10th, 12th and 490th Missile Squadrons along with chefs from the 341st Force Support Squadron competed head-to-head in the fourth quarter Warrior Chef Competition Dec. 16.
 
Each team of two was given 90 minutes to prepare a dish to serve to the judges that included the special ingredient of apples.

"This [quarter] our secret ingredient was apples, which I think is an amazing thing because you don't naturally put it in with other ingredients," said Senior Airman Jessica Kirksey, 12th MS missile chef and emcee of the event.

Judging the meals were Col. Robert Stanley, 341st Missile Wing vice commander; Chief Master Sgt. Charles Anderson, 341st MW command chief, and guest judge, Father Leo Patalinghug. Being a recognized cook, Patalinghug was brought to the judging table to share his knowledge and experience with food.

"I would have to say that it's excellent," Patalinghug said, referring to the overall competition. "The quality is high and they definitely have the spice of life. The food was great, but I think most importantly were the people who made it. It was very impressive; plating was very well done, original flavors, but I think [Warrior Chef] is an original event that every base needs to do."

After preparing the dishes, each team served the judges a plate and explained their meal. The meals were judged based on five categories - honoring the theme ingredient, presentation, taste, dress and appearance, and creativity and originality. After scoring each team's meal, the judges announced the winners.

The 12th MS, represented by Senior Airmen Frank Hernandez and Estrella Zapata-Brooks, both missile chefs, took home the trophy once again. Their winning dish, consisting of apple chicken stir fry and jasmine rice with an apple egg roll and green tea, was favored by the judges' scores.

"This is the second time I've competed and the second time I've won," Zapata-Brooks said. "I'm very glad to have represented the 12th MS. I like to show Team Malmstrom that we're the best and my partner in crime, Hernandez, was a huge help, too."

"This was a really great competition and I feel honored to be able to represent the 12th MS," Hernandez said. "Airman Brooks was an outstanding partner. I let her take the lead and she produced an amazing meal."

Although only one squadron could be named the winner of this quarter's Warrior Chef, every team represented their squadron with pride and showed off the dedication and hard work that goes on behind the counters of Malmstrom's kitchens.

"We come together to show our support for other squadrons and then the competitive spirit that we have," Kirksey said.