Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tawny Kruse | Pfc. Christian Phipps, a culinary specialist with the 109th Multifunctional Medical...... read more read more
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On a 30-degree February day, uneven snow packed the ground outside the Iowa Army National Guard Readiness Center in Iowa City. Mixed smells of fresh coffee, simmering potatoes and cinnamon filled the air. Tents and camouflage netting were set up to block brisk bursts of wind as Soldiers with the headquarters of the 109th Multifunctional Medical Battalion (109th MMB) worked together to cook the most important meal of their careers so far.
The team of culinary specialists are competing for the national title of the Philip A. Connelly culinary competition in the Army National Guard field-feeding category. They are up against three other National Guard units from Nebraska, New York and Virginia. The Philip A. Connelly Awards Program was established in 1968 to recognize excellence in U.S. Army food service. It’s the first time in 25 years that an Iowa unit has made it to the national level.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Meier, of Manning, said the most rewarding part of the process has been seeing junior Soldiers grow and become more confident in their skills. Meier is the team’s culinary management noncommissioned officer.
“Winning would justify the last three years’ worth of struggle,” said Meier. “It would be unreal. It would show we are as good as we think we are.”
The 109th MMB has spent the last three years climbing to the top. The team won the state level competition in April 2018 and the regional competition in August 2019 during their annual training at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Now, Meier said they’re finishing how they started – together in cold weather.
But in their Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT), where most of the cooking was done, more than just ovens can get hot. The MKT is packed tight with equipment with only narrow aisles to navigate, and it was more important than ever for the team to communicate and work cohesively. One Soldier from Iowa City helped make that a reality.
“You have to get to know your Soldiers you’re working with, and know their strengths and weaknesses, in order to get the mission done,” said Spc. Kaylin Hansen, first cook of the 109th MMB team. “If we don’t have that cohesion, we don’t put out a successful meal.”
Meier said Hansen has truly stepped up, especially in the absence of their usual first cook during the last leg of the competition.
“When she’s been asked to take on those extra roles, she has never questioned it,” said Meier.
Throughout the day, Hansen could be seen making routine checks on each Soldier and stopping to help if she noticed something could be done better. She consistently made sure time hacks were met while also contributing to food preparation and serving.
“Being put into a leadership role very quickly in this unit has taught me a lot of patience,” said Hansen. “I’ve had to step in multiple times as Soldiers come in and out throughout the contest.”
One Soldier joined the team as they were finishing up the state level competition, fresh out of his advanced individual training. Pfc. Christian Phipps, of Ottumwa, said he didn’t have a lot of culinary experience stepping in. At first, being thrust into the middle of a high-stakes competition seemed like a daunting task.
Now, he said he’s thankful for the unique learning opportunity and appreciates the constructive criticism from his team and the competition evaluators. Seemingly small things, like cutting vegetables evenly, have become second nature.
“I was trash at cutting onions, but no one wants to cut the onions, so I volunteered to do it,” said Phipps. “Now I can cut an onion pretty well. Food preparation and appearance is important. Even if it tastes good, you also want to make it look good so people want to try it.”
Whether you’re comfortable cooking meat or prefer cutting vegetables, the diversity of the team helps them accomplish anything, said Phipps. Hansen prioritized taking the time to teach Soldiers in a fast-paced environment so the product they served was the best it could be.
“It doesn’t do anyone any good being selfish and watching someone struggle,” said Phipps. “If Hansen teaches someone how to cut corn bread with even lines in six by six slices, it helps her and helps the team.”
Hansen said she is proud of how well her team worked together and jumped in to get something done even if it wasn’t on their schedule. As a leader, being able to trust her team meant a lot to her, and their concerted efforts didn’t go unnoticed during the competition.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dawn Broe, a food advisor for the National Guard Bureau, was one of three National Guard evaluators at the competition that day. She tested Soldiers’ level of knowledge and watched how they interacted in the kitchen.
“This is a great group of culinary arts personnel interacting very well,” said Broe. “They work around each other. They know each other’s habits.”
Broe said she has total respect for any unit willing to compete in the Connelly competition because it’s hard work that requires a lot of preparation. Additionally, Hansen and Phipps agreed that the support from their unit and community motivated them to drive on when things got tough.
“That means a lot to us because it is miserable when you’re standing in front of a 170-degree sink with water splashing everywhere,” said Phipps, “but then you think, you’re doing your part so everyone can succeed.”
The rest of the 109th MMB greeted their cooks with smiles as they lined up for a plate filled with smothered pork chops, spiced fruit mix and more. Each member of the team received a coin of excellence from Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, the Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, after the meal was served. They also received a plaque for placing first in the regional competition.
A winner will be announced after each of the units competing has been evaluated. No matter the outcome, Meier said he believes his unit has made the food service section for the whole state proud.
“It’s been a long three years to get here,” said Hansen. “This is a big deal. I hope it puts more focus on what we do as culinary specialists, and hopefully we can continue to improve for our state.”
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2020 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 361679 |
| Location: | IOWA CITY, IA, US |
| Hometown: | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, US |
| Hometown: | IOWA CITY, IA, US |
| Hometown: | MANNING, IA, US |
| Hometown: | OTTUMWA, IA, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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