The Hennessy Travelers Association

HTA Mission Statement
The Hennessy Travelers Association acts as an advisory group of travelers from industry to develop techniques, management skills, advise and mentor Armed Forces food and beverage professionals.  Directly supported by volunteer contributions from past travelers we provide advisors and services uniquely tailored to military professionals. This stewardship enriches the interest of the Armed Forces and transfers intellectual best practices from industry that can be used to improve the Armed Services food and beverage operations.  Through this professional partnership we enhance operations and enhance industry employment opportunities for these Armed Forces members upon their completion of military service.

2026 John L. Hennessy Award
70 Years of Recognizing Food Service Excellence - Worldwide!!!
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2026 participating bases by each region and travelers

Region 1:

- 19 FSS, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas - WINNER!!!

- 96 FSS, Eglin AFB, Florida

- 436 FSS, Dover AFB, Delaware

- 23 FSS, Moody AFB, Georgia

Region 1 Evaluators:
Ms. Kathereen Kei Ko - SHFM
Mr. Timothy "Tim" Cummings - AFSVC
MSgt Chemara Walley - AFSVC
TSgt Brent Smith - AFSVC
TSgt Emille Hinson

 

Region 2:

- 17 FSS, Goodfellow AFB, Texas - WINNER!!!

- 18 FSS, Kadena AB, Japan

- 92 FSS, Fairchild AFB, Washington

- 9 FSS, Beale AFB, CA

Region 2 Evaluators:
Mr. Kevin D'Onofrio - SHFM
Mr. Edgard "Eddie" Castillo - AFSVC
CMS Maria Lloyd - AFSVC
Mr. Adam Aguilar - AFSVC
SSgt Annette Hartman - AFSVC

 

European Best Small Site:

- 703 MUNSS, Volkel AB, Netherlands - WINNER!!!

- 702 MUNSS Buechel AB, Germany

- 701 MUNSS, Kleine-Brogel AB, Belgium

Small Site Evaluators:
Capt Travis Lockwood - AFSVC
MSgt Kellie Jones - AFSVC

 

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Best Missile Alert Field Feeding Operation (MAFFO):

- 341 FSS, Malmstrom AFB, Montana - WINNER!!!

- 90 FSS, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming

AFGSC MAFFO Evaluators:
MSgt Rodney Worthen - AFSVC
TSgt Edward Turner - AFSVC

In addition, the evaluation teams identified food service professionals who demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, passion, and culinary skill.  High-performing Airmen selected as Hennessy Traveler Award (HTA) nominees will have the opportunity to attend the Culinary Institute of America (San Antonio, TX), where the overall winner will be announced.  The following Airmen have been selected as HTA nominees:

Region 1 (East):

SrA Jordan McKinnis, Moody AFB

SrA Angel Rosado, Dover AFB

SrA Jasmine Widger, Little Rock AFB

A1C Alexis Holmes, Eglin AFB

 

Region 2 (West):

A1C Kimberly Abarro, Fairchild AFB

A1C Jorden Penny, Kadena AB

A1C Carlos Zavala, Beale AFB

 

USAFE Food Service Small Site:

SrA Matthew Caylor, Kline Brogel AB

SrA Jamie L. Stites, Volkel AB 

SrA Ester S. Taufaasau, Buchel AB

 

AFGSC Missile Alert Field Feeding Operation:

SrA Edith Rabideau, Malmstrom AFB

SSgt Ashley Spain, F.E. Warren, AFB

  National Restaurant Association Military Foundation Website (NRAMF)  

The Hennessy Trophy Awards Program has continued since it was first conceived in 1956, with the
first team traveling in 1957 chartered to:

  Promote excellence in customer service and food service support within the Air Force through quality
improvements, recommendations and information exchange with industry partners.

  Inspire high morale, motivation, mission support, and a professional image through an annual spirited
 competition selecting the "Best of the Best" within Air Force Food Service.

The Annual Hennessy Trophy Awards Program reflects the dedication, pride, and fellowship
of the civilian food service industry and the Air Force in improving the Air Force way of life.

The annual Hennessy program also allows the sharing of valuable information between the sponsoring associations travelers, recognized leaders in the civilian food service industry, and Air Force Food Service personnel.  Achieving success in the Hennessy competition is a reflection of pride, commitment, and motivation to be the best.  The tools of success include superior customer service, astute management, command support of food service operations, and the attitude on behalf of the base to excel and become a winner.

The John L. Hennessy Trophies are an annual set of awards presented to Air Force installations, in single and multiple facility categories, having the best foodservice programs in the United States Air Force.  Special recognition is also paid to both the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve for the unwavering commitment to the total Air Force mission.  These awards are based on the entire scope of an installation�s program. 

To win - operations must exhibit sustained excellence in foodservice management, force readiness support,
food quality, employee and customer relations, resource conservation, training, and safety.

The John L. Hennessy Trophies have been awarded annually since the awards program inception in 1956.  As this program has grown and evolved, so have the actual trophies and associated individual awards.  These trophies represent the history and evolution of the Air Force and reflect its growth and change around the world.  To be nominated as an annual winner by a cadre of respected peers from within the hospitality industry is truly an honor. 

This program is possible only through the selfless involvement of individuals from premiere industry associations who
volunteer to travel with Headquarters Air Force Food Service staff.  This alumni of past travelers make up the Hennessy
Travelers Association (HTA), committed to providing opportunities and mentor our Armed Forces Foodservice professionals that they recognize during their evaluations. 

Please keep those that are still deployed worldwide serving both their country
and their customers in your thoughts and prayers!

For more information you can contact us at HTA@hennessyaward.org