Third Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery chefs, Sgt. Leonardo Nino and Spc. Robert Taylor won their respective boards March 12 in the second quarter senior and junior chef competitions at Fort Sill.
Seventeen Soldiers from 214th Fires, 75th Fires and 31st Air Defense Artillery brigades vied for top honors.
The 3-2nd ADA chefs' preparations for the board began 30 days prior as they spent four days a week, three hours a day studying the material.
The board included Soldier uniform inspections, and participants answered questions ranging from basic Soldier knowledge to food preparation and dining facility operations.
"During the board I felt uneasy, but I maintained my military bearing," said Taylor. "I started to relax and answer the questions with confidence when I realized all the hard work I had been putting into training had paid off."
Nino had it no easier, as his board was 40 minutes of rapid-fire questions testing his complete knowledge of the military and his food service expertise.
In the end, their hard work paid as Taylor won the junior chef board; Nino won the senior chef board.
"When I won the board, I was shocked. I went up against 17 Soldiers and won but humbly realize that this is just the beginning," said Taylor. "I have to push harder, study more and be that much better not only for myself, but for those lower enlisted who look up to me." Taylor scored 285 of 300 points on his board.
Nino said winning the board gave him a measure of pride in his abilities.
"Now I need to start preparing for the chef of the year board," he said.
Nino scored a perfect 150 of 150 points in his board.
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