Photo By Spc. Rebeca Soria | U.S. Army Sgt. Jeremy James, a member of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team’s...... read more read more
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Fort Stewart, Ga. — The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID), emerged victorious in the installation's annual culinary competition during Food Services Week 2025, outmaneuvering rival teams with an unconventional menu choice that judges couldn't resist.
The competition, held as part of the Army's Food Services Week celebration, brought together culinary teams from across Fort Stewart to showcase their skills in tactical field feeding. The event highlighted the Army's ongoing modernization of its food service program, which aims to bring quality dining options directly to Soldiers rather than requiring them to travel to dining facilities.
Teams from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (1st ABCT), 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT), and 3rd Brigade Support Battalion competed in the intense culinary showdown. All three teams will advance to represent Fort Stewart at the Army-wide competition at Fort Lee, Virginia, with 1st ABCT leading the 3rd ID delegation following their first-place finish.
The winning team from 1st ABCT distinguished itself by taking a calculated risk with its menu selection. While other teams opted for more traditional competition fare, the 1st ABCT team prepared chicken curry—a bold choice that caught judges by surprise.
"I knew that nobody, none of these competitors, was gonna make chicken curry," said Sgt. Jeremy James, the leader of the 2nd ABCT team. "I knew they were gonna do something simple, so we came up with our plan. We took it and ran with it."
Their strategy reflected culinary innovation, demonstrating the team's understanding that standing out from the competition required more than just technical proficiency.
The team’s confidence played a crucial role in their success. "I said we weren't gonna lose," James declared. "I said it before we competed, and we won."
That unwavering belief in their abilities translated into flawless execution under pressure. Beyond the trophy, participants emphasized the competition's broader impact on unit morale and cohesion.
"It brings everyone together and is a morale booster to people who are making food for the troops," said Spc. Austin Halyckyj, a Soldier with the 2nd ABCT team.
The culinary specialists also recognized the unique opportunity the competition represented. "Going to compete at Fort Lee feels great and challenging, a big experience that not a lot of people are going to experience," said Halyckyj. "So the fact that I can do it, it's a great feeling to have."
The Soldiers displayed humility alongside their competitive spirit, viewing their achievement as a matter of duty rather than glory. "It's not what you do or anything like that. There's a job that someone has to do, and sometimes you have to be the person to step forward to do it," Halyckyj reflected. "And our team took first place."
The victory serves as more than just bragging rights for 1st ABCT. The team views it as a springboard for continued excellence. "We are using this as motivation to keep striving for greatness during the Fort Lee Competition," James said.
The competition aligns with the Army's broader Food Program initiative, which emphasizes bringing quality food choices where Soldiers are rather than requiring them to come to traditional dining facilities. According to program documentation, the Army has dramatically expanded its recipe offerings, growing from approximately 1,600 recipes in 2017 to 2,400 recipes by 2021 and it continues to grow.
Food service operations across the Army are transforming from traditional field feeding and culinary training to sophisticated food establishments, with new policies, regulations and authorities driving innovation. The emphasis extends beyond sustenance to encompass nutrition, morale and cultural considerations.
Army culinary specialists play a vital role in maintaining unit morale, particularly during holiday celebrations when they ensure every Soldier has an opportunity to gather and share in traditional meals. The annual competition at Fort Stewart exemplified this mission, with teams demonstrating not just cooking skills but their commitment to Soldier welfare.
As 1st ABCT prepares to lead the 3rd ID contingent at Fort Lee, their chicken curry gambit stands as a testament to the power of innovation, confidence and teamwork in military culinary arts.
| Date Taken: | 11.19.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2025 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 551816 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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