Zama DFAC wins third regional Connelly Award
By Dustin Perry
 

Photo by Dustin Perry Tsuyoshi Enomoto, right, a cook at the Camp Zama Dining Facility, prepares a plate of food for customer Stevon Shufford during breakfast Wednesday. The Camp Zama DFAC was named Best Small Dining Facility in the Installation Management Command – Pacific Region of the 2010 Philip A. Connelly Awards. Under the management of Michael A. Horne Sr., the dining facility previously won the award both times it competed at the IMCOM – Pacific level, both in 2008 and 2006.

“Best Small Dining Facility in the Pacific” was the title once again given to the Camp Zama DFAC after its staff won this year’s Philip A. Connelly Award in its region for the third consecutive time in which they have competed for the honor.

Under the current management, the Camp Zama Dining Facility and its staff of 19 previously won first place in the Installation Management Command – Pacific Region of the competition in 2008 and 2006.

Dining facilities that compete for the Connelly Award are evaluated in 20 different areas – including rations, equipment, accountability and sanitation – and are awarded points based on their performance in each, said Michael A. Horne Sr., the facility manager. A lot of work and planning go into creating a pleasant experience for Camp Zama diners, he said.

“We have menu meetings; we take into account how much it costs to prepare each meal,” said Horne. “We give out comment cards and we take those into account. We try to give [our customers] a home-cooked meal [in] a pleasant atmosphere – a place that you really want to come to.”

Approximately 300 customers are served throughout three mealtimes every day at the Camp Zama Dining Facility, including brunch on weekends, said Horne. The staff’s mission is simple, he added: “to provide the best quality food service possible.”

Because it is on a military installation, the Camp Zama Dining Facility and its staff are largely concerned with meeting the nutritional and dietary needs of the Soldiers here, said Horne. Winning the Connelly Award means he and his staff are meeting the Army’s standards, he said.

“We must give the Soldiers a great atmosphere and the best food possible,” said Horne. “We take a lot of pride in preparing our food and giving the Soldiers the best quality. Winning this award brings great credit upon the community, the dining facility, and my staff.”

Ayumi Ohya, an administrative specialist at the dining facility, said her job is just one small part of the services provided there, but she is proud to be part of an organization that serves the community.

“We have good communication with [our customers],” said Ohya. “We try to do our best to provide good service. [The award] is the result of everything we worked for.”