Minneapolis clubs win command culinary contest

Published Dec. 1, 2006
By Cristina Oxtra
934th Services Squadron

MINNEAPOLIS -- The officers' and services clubs at the 934th Airlift Wing here won Air Force Reserve Command's first Inside Out contest earlier this year.

Inside Out focuses on a club's customers and employees. Its goal is to ensure AFRC clubs provide customers with the best service possible. The idea behind it is to teach club employees that whatever they do behind the scenes in their daily operation will affect customers' dining experience.

Margo Leslie, 934th Services chief, said she was ecstatic when she received a call telling her the clubs won.

"I'm so proud of everyone," she said. "Nothing like this has been done in the Air Force before. This is a very creative AFRC initiative."

The competition runs from April 1 through Sept. 30 and consists of multiple evaluations, one by the local Services chief and another by people from Headquarters AFRC's Services Directorate. The evaluators inspected the clubs' store room operations, sanitation, food production controls, beverage operations, catering operations, equipment and facilities, personnel management and training, financial standards, and marketing. In addition, mystery customers called and dined at the clubs periodically to evaluate the food, customer service and marketing materials.

Sheila Idigpio, chief of membership support in Headquarters AFRC's Directorate of Services, visited and evaluated the clubs at Minneapolis and was impressed by what she saw.

"The clubs were spotless! The store rooms were impeccable. The staff was friendly and courteous to everyone walking in the door," she said. "There was a spirit of cooperation among the entire services staff that stood out above the rest. The managers of both clubs worked hard along with their staffs."

According to Ms. Idigpio, winning the Inside Out award says a lot about the Minneapolis clubs.

"It says that the clubs are customer-oriented - both internal and external. It says they care about the quality of service they give the customer. It shows they take pride in what they do and how they do it," Ms. Idigpio said.

It certainly matters a great deal to Ms. Leslie.

"We've reached another level," said the chief of services for the 934th AW. "It has raised our bar.

"We are the only AFRC base with two clubs," she explained. "We serve all military branches and federal agencies. We're always busy but we still ensure that we provide the best food and service to everyone. Winning this award proves it. "

As the winner, the Minneapolis club staff will receive cash awards and on-site training conducted by renowned U.S. Air Forces in Europe Chef Jean Marc Laurent. The staff will also enjoy a meal prepared by Chef Laurent, and the Headquarters AFRC Services staff will serve it.

Club customers get a prize, too. Club members will be invited to enjoy a special membership evening with hors d'oeuvres compliments of AFRC Services. The date for this event will be announced at a later time.

Since the Inside Out program has proven to be beneficial to club staff and customers, AFRC Services plans to continue competition in 2007.

"Inside Out was a great opportunity to take a good hard look at yourself and how you do business. It will help you progress, change and master the weak areas," Ms. Idigpio said. "I look forward to running it again." (AFRC News Service)