Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Separate preparation of meat, vegetagles and fruit during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition proved to be a high priority, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Antona Gaskins, 741st Missile Squadron missile chef, prepares her award winning dish during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Antona Gaskins, 741st Missile Squadron missile chef, garnishes a steak with grilled bacon during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Staff Sgt. Ashley Sakurai, 741st Missile Squadron missile chef, inspects completed dishes before her teams presentation to the judges during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Antona Gaskins, 741st Missile Squadron missile chef, presents her teams award winning dishes to the judges during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Col. James Dawkins, 5th Bomb Wing commander, examines the 91st Missile Wing’s efforts during the “Warrior Chef 2012” competition, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the Kitchen

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Staff Sgt. Ashley Sakurai, Senior Airman Antona Gaskins, both from the 741st Missile Squadron and SrA Qushondra Owens, 721 Missile Squadron, celebrate their victory against the 5th Bomb Wing chefs, here June 27. The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito)

Rumble in the kitchen

Published July 3, 2012
By Senior Airman Desiree W. Esposito
MinotAir Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Top chefs from the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing battled each other for the title of Warrior Chef 2012 at the 91st Missile Operations training kitchen here June 27.

The annual competition gave Team Minot chefs the chance to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for their talents in a friendly environment. It was a true test of culinary mastery as a team from each wing went head-to-head in a 45-minute, ultimate dish showdown.

"We tried our best to prepare by having an icebreaker to get to know each other and creating a game plan," explained head chef Staff Sgt. Ashley Sakurai, 741st Missile Squadron missile chef.

The two teams consisted of one NCO and two Airmen.

The competitors from the 91st MW included Staff Sgt. Ashley Sakurai, Senior Airman Antona Gaskins, 741st Missile Squadron and Senior Airman Qushondra Owens, 740th Missile Squadron. The 5th BW competitors were Senior Airman Jennifer Frost, Senior Airman Amanda Greenlee and Senior Airman Fa Pham, all from the 5th Force Support Squadron.

"Working in a team was a new adventure for us," said Owens. "As missile chefs we usually prep and cook food independently."

Warrior Chef is similar to the Iron Chef television competition.

Three mystery ingredients were presented to the chefs at the start of the competition. However, each team was required to use at least two mystery ingredients in each dish.

"Before the challenge, we each shared our strong points in the kitchen," said Sakurai. "Performing during the challenge is where we allowed one another to shine with added creativity."

Each team prepared four servings per dish, which were presented to the judges. Taste, originality, presentation, creativity and teamwork were the categories evaluated.

Judging this "race the clock" competition was Col. James Dawkins, 5th BW commander, Col. Robert Vercher, 91st MW commander and Capt. Mark McGregor, 5th BW chaplain.

Creating the most unique dishes from the same secret ingredients separates the warrior chefs from the rest.

"Merging our talents together was the biggest goal in the kitchen, and we are so ecstatic it helped us prevail," shared Owens.

Towards the end of the evening, the crowd was chopping at the bit to learn who the winner would be.

Then Staff Sgt. Ralaun Kidd, 742nd Missile Squadron chef, silenced the crowd. He started with congratulating both sides on their great team work and originality.

"And the 2012 Warrior Chef award goes to .... The 91st Missile Wing!"

The crowd went bananas!

The competition surpassed the 91st MW winning an award, it was about the chef career field as a whole getting an opportunity to prove dining facility food isn't just their expertise.