Photo By Master Sgt. Alexandre Montes | A dining facility cook thaws a pallet's worth of chicken to help prepare for the...... read more read more
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AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar - Some take for granted the endless amount of food readily available in dining facilities while others appreciate the meals after a long day in the sun or 12 hour shifts. But do they ever stop to think, “who cooks my food and why?”
On an average day, more than 7,000 people consume two pallets of chicken at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, per DFAC. Being able to prepare meals daily takes dedication and long hours. But for the DFAC workers behind the scenes, the work is no problem at all. They truly love their job.
“It’s fun to work here; all of the people are happy and we love to work here,” said Danilo "Danny" Escarilla, dining facility head cook.
Danilo said that because of the constant movement of troops, the workers stay alert. This means that on any given day they would have to prepare more or less food. He also mentioned that is why they are always busy, and said that ‘busy is good’.
Escarilla, native to Sri Lanka, has been working here for more than eight years. It could be said that he began working here when some of the deployed members were in middle school. When watching his interaction with all the other workers, you can see they not only motivate each other, but have a good time as well.
“They go all out when preparing the monthly birthday meal. They start preparations earlier in the day, having more food to prepare and cook,” said Staff Sgt Misty Edwards, 379 Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. “Awesome cooks, respectful people, aim to assist and please, light hearted and are always positive with a happy smile.”
Standing in the kitchen watching the cooks seemed somewhat orchestrated. While food is being served outside the doors, behind the scenes is where the real action is taking place. The clanking of pots, chopping of meats and vegetables, and sizzling of seared salmon all come together in harmonious, spirited food preparation on behalf of the dedicated DFAC kitchen staff. From sun up to sun down, the motivation to feed the masses is what the cooks pride themselves in.
Even with the seemingly constant turn over, Escarilla and the other workers continue to present first- class professionalism when it comes to their job. As co-workers with military members they make sure that every meal is made and served with a smile, helping deployed members serve, sleep and repeat.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2015 09:56 |
| Story ID: | 171183 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Service with a smile: DFAC cooks love their job, by MSgt Alexandre Montes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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