Fort Gordon Chefs sharpen skills through culinary workshop

By Capt. Devon ThomasDecember 21, 2012

Fort Gordon chefs sharpen skills through culinary workshop
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Gabriel J. Earle, a food service sergeant with the 35th Signal Brigade, demonstrates how to prepare garnishments to Spc. Angel Richard, a 35th Signal Brigade food service specialist, while Maj. Gen. LaWarren V. Patterson, the Commanding General ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Gordon chefs sharpen skills through culinary workshop
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Valerie Mott, a food service contractor who works at Dining Facility 4, teaches Spc. Robert Yarbrough, a food service specialist with the 35th Signal Brigade, how to prepare a decorative turkey during the Hulsey & Blackstone Culinary Arts Workshop No... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GORDON, Ga - The 35th Signal Brigade food service specialists and Fort Gordon food service contractors attended the Hulsey & Blackstone Culinary Arts Workshop from Nov. 13, to Nov. 21, at dining facilities throughout Fort Gordon, Ga.

This year's workshop is the first where Fort Gordon food service contractors learned culinary techniques side by side with food service specialists of the 35th Signal Brigade.

The collaboration has benefited the Soldiers and Contractors, and will also benefit Fort Gordon Soldiers, civilians and Families who attend the Dining Facilities during this time honored tradition, said Sgt. 1st Class David G. Hall, the 35th Signal Brigade chief food operations sergeant. The long hours and arduous work the food service contractors and Soldiers put in to prepare and display the items will certainly provide a home away from home atmosphere.

According to Thomas O. McMillion, the assistant project manger of Hulsey and Blackstone, the Hulsey & Blackstone Culinary Arts Workshop has been a vital project for the Army Thanksgiving meals on Fort Gordon for four years. The program ensures that food service contractors are trained on advanced culinary arts techniques and ensures that each perspective dining facility has immaculate food displays to showcase during the holiday.

"I am proud of the work and accomplishment of all involved and I believe that this will certainly go down in history as one of the best Thanksgiving meals for the Fort Gordon community," said McMillion.

Maj. Gen. LaWarren V. Patterson, the Commanding General, U.S. Army Signal Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, and Ronald S. Pflieger, the SIGCoE Command Sergeant Major, attended the workshop on Nov. 20, and told all of the civilian food service contractors and Soldiers how appreciative they were for their dedication and commitment. They presented coins of excellence to the 35th Signal Brigade food service specialists.