Service members compete in Iron Chef competition

Photo By Sgt. George Welcome | Staff Sgt. Billie Jean Afflick, captain of Team Destiny, rinses asparagus under a...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. George Welcome | Staff Sgt. Billie Jean Afflick, captain of Team Destiny, rinses asparagus under a faucet. Team Destiny hosted Team Lifeliner in the 2008 Bagram Airfield Iron Chef competition on, May 28. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. George Welcome)  see less | View Image Page

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

05.30.2008

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

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By Combined Joint Task Force - 101

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - "There is no love truer than the love of food," said Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. That love of food, both preparing and serving, coupled with a dose of friendly competition led to the first-ever Iron Chef competition at Bagram Airfield, May 28.

The competition, held at the Aviation Dining Facility, was based on the popular 'Iron Chef' television series. It pitted two teams of food service specialists, one representing Task Force Destiny and the other representing Task Force Lifeliner, against each other to see which team could woo a panel of judges senses of sight and taste with their culinary delights.

The showdown started shortly after the afternoon meal was concluded. The two teams were called into the back room of the dining facility, where they faced off as they were given the rules to the competition. Then the moment they anxiously awaited arrived, the unveiling of the "secret ingredient". The cover was lifted to reveal bell peppers, in vivid red, yellow and green.

The two teams then parted to prepare their stations and utensils for the competition; they would have three hours to prepare a main dish and entrees, using the secret ingredient in each. Once the official time keeper gave word to start, the kitchen instantly became busy with motion. The dull thud of beef being pounded and the sharp rapping of knives chopping vegetables collided as they hit the air.

The competition allowed the cooks to use ingredients to make meals that they don't get to prepare regularly.

"We were excited when we found out about the competition," said Sgt. Armando Marshall, of 101st Sustainment Brigade. Marshall, who has won several culinary competitions said that coming up with a strategy was fairly easy.

"We got together and discussed some ideas for what kind of meals we would like to make," he said. "In all, it took about two days for planning what kind of meals we would like to cook."

The team strategy for Task Force Destiny was to take the competition in stride and not get side tracked by the opponent.

"It was like a normal thing for us," said Spc. William Lucas, who was preparing to grill some sliced vegetables. "We came up with our recipe today. They (Lifeliner) brought in some Navy and Air Force guys, which was supposed to scare us. We've got some experienced cooks on our team, and people always tell us our food is good, so I think we'll win."

As the minutes ticked by the cooks raced back and forth across the stainless steel kitchen floor, preparing the meals they hoped would propel their team to victory.

"I'm excited about this competition because it gives me a chance to do my job. Right now I'm working in the mailroom," joked Pfc. Christina Howard, of Team Lifeliner, as she seasoned sliced yellow peppers. "Believe it or not, peppers were one of the ingredients we planned to use in case it was the secret ingredient, so we planned really well."

Making the event happen fell onto shoulders of 1st Lt. Nathan Schroeder, medical platoon leader and company executive officer of Headquarters Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion.

"I am a big fan of the show, so I was asked by my commander to plan the whole event and I've run with it every since," Schroeder said. "We are limited by capabilities here, as far the foods we have access to and cooking space so the initial planning was difficult, so I shaped the plan to what we have now. I am quite happy with how everything has turned out."

At 4:30 p.m. each team had finished cooking their meals and began to set up their presentations. There were only thirty minutes left before they would have to serve the judges. As presentation was part of the judging criteria, the teams took great care to ensure that their meals were not only delicious, but visually enthralling.

"This competition was a blast. I'm glad we are doing this because it breaks up the monotony." said Sgt. William Smetak, of Team Destiny as he poured a creamy chocolate mousse onto a plate. "I knew that I would be handling the pastries because that's what I do."

At 4:45 p.m. the teams began to bring their meals into the dining room. Spectators who already seated at tables cheered and took pictures as the chefs carried in trays of food. The judging table served as the unofficial room divider, Soldiers of Task Force Destiny sat on the left of the table, while the Lifeliner contingent sat to the right.

Finally, the three special judges arrived and were seated. Responsible for deciding which team would become the Bagram Airfield Iron Chef Champions were; Brig. Gen James McConville, Deputy Commanding General-Staff, 101st Airborne Division, Brig. Gen. James Holmes, Commanding General of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and Robert Maggi, political advisor to Combined Joint Task Force - 101.

At long last it was serving time. At 5:00 p.m., Lt. Col. John Kline, deputy commander of Task Force Destiny, flipped a coin to decide who would serve first. Team Lifeliner called the toss, they chose heads. It landed on tails, Team Destiny would serve first.

Staff Sgt. Billie Jean Afflick, captain of Team Destiny, presented the meal. It was a seasoned grilled turkey and asparagus served with a grilled bell pepper stuffed with sautéed rice. The judges got to work eating the well prepared meal. After receiving several minutes to eat, they used their secret score card to give points to the meal.

The judging table was cleared and Team Lifeliner presented their meal. Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Heidrich, captain of Team Lifeliner, presented the meal. It was a beef with a rice pate served with a stuffed bell pepper. Once again, the judges got to the task of eating and critiquing the meals. Once they finished, they used their score cards to make their decisions.

The moment everyone was waiting for had finally arrived. The ballots were in, Team Destiny was the winner of the presentation category, Team Lifeliner won both the taste and originality categories. Team Lifeliner was named the 2008 Bagram Airfield Iron Chef Champions.

The room exploded in applause and cheers from both sides. While one team won the coveted Iron Chef plaque, both had proven their immeasurable talents. One judge explained that the meals he had eaten during the event were some of the best he had tasted anywhere.

"I have had the opportunity to eat at many special functions and state dinners," said Maggi. "Nothing I've have ever eaten at any of those dinners compared to the meals we were able to eat here tonight."