Cantigny, Demon Diner serve Thanksgiving meals

Photo By Sgt. Dana Moen | Culinary specialists with 1st Infantry Division prepare seafood salad cups for Cantigny dining facility’s Thanksgiving meal Nov. 23 at Fort Riley, Kansas. This year's theme was “Willy Wonka” with more than 1,000 meals prepared for Soldiers, family members and civilian partners of the 1st Infantry Division. (Sgt. Dana Moen, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

11.24.2016

Story by Sgt. Dana Moen 

19th Public Affairs Detachment

Culinary specialists with 1st Infantry Division served Thanksgiving feasts to Soldiers, family members and civilian partners at the Cantigny dining facility Nov. 23 and the Demon Diner Nov. 24 at Fort Riley, Kansas. The two dining facilities also competed for the Senior Commander’s Best Culinary Dining Facility award.

"’Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,’ the original, was the theme for 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team and Cantigny dining facility to run with this year," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erik Iwai, food advisor with 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div..

Cantigny’s decorations for this year's Thanksgiving feast featured a waterfall, edible chocolate fountains and candy bar. The Willy Wonka theme allowed the cooks to express their creativity and highlight their talents.

The Demon Diner’s theme was “100 Years of Service to the Nation.”
"I have at least 4 noncommissioned officers who are on hour 30 in this kitchen in this dining facility getting ready for this meal," Iwai said, "because all of these decorations have to happen outside of the three meals a day that we need to serve seven days a week."

The dining facilities are evaluated during the Thanksgiving meal on how well the meal went and the customers’ experience. Cantigny's two distinct dining areas afforded the opportunity to do both the command's guidance and a theme.

"It's nice to see people appreciate what we did," said Sgt. Kevin Roudabush, a chef with Company F, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "I enjoy building stuff, so it's easy for me to do and I enjoy doing it."

“Big Red One” leadership served up turkey and ham during the four hour extended lunch service at both dining facilities.

"It's by far the most important meal of the year," Iwai said. "The bottom line is it's about the customers enjoying the meal."

• Date Taken: 11.24.2016
• Date Posted: 11.29.2016 16:51
• Story ID: 215946
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US