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“Dourmet” dining

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lorraine Cho
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Airlift Wing commander’s spouse Hana Safranek, accompanied by Harvest Ridge Winery’s in-house chef Yi Lynne Weber, taught Airmen how to create a gourmet Italian meal as a part of Dorm to Gourm here Feb. 13, 2019 – just in time for couples to learn how to prepare their own Valentine’s Day dinners.

Dawne Nickerson-Banez, 436th AW Public Affairs chief of community engagement, established Dorm to Gourm on April 1, 2014. Its purpose was to empower Dover AFB dorm residents, many of whom were away from home – and home cooking – for the first time, to cook their own meals, eat out less and save more money.

When asked about the typical dorm diet, Airman 1st Class Mason Kreitzer, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, replied, “DFAC and Wawa.”

Around the time Nickerson-Banez began Dorm to Gourm, the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative necessitated that the dining facility be temporarily unavailable. With the DFAC no longer an option, many Airmen opted to eat out.

Nickerson-Banez realized on-base kitchen spaces and cooking facilities were being underutilized, especially by Airmen who lacked cooking skills.

A vision was born.

Whether it’s rolling sushi or making pasta from scratch, Dorm to Gourm teaches a veritable smorgasbord of skills, from basic knife handling to various food preparation techniques. The classes are hands-on and interactive, since each student has a role in prepping and cooking the meal. Previously managed by the First Sergeant Council, with the first sergeants helping to promote and facilitate classes, Dorm to Gourm is currently run by the Airmen Committed to Excellence (ACE) Council.

“Dorm to Gourm exists, so that Airmen can learn how to cook and how to eat healthy,” said Senior Airman Veneta Wheeler, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman and ACE Council president.

Due to popular demand, Dorm to Gourm has since been opened up to all ranks, including officers and spouses.

“Who doesn’t like food?” quipped Kreitzer.

“Everybody likes food,” added Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Allen, 436th Aerial Port Squadron passenger service agent and dorm council member.

From basic food preparation to gourmet surf and turf, guest chefs from all over the local area and beyond serve up a few tricks of the trade for our Dover Airmen. Past participants include Guy’s Grocery Games winner Chef Robbie Jester, who also “beat Bobby Flay” on the Food Network.

Chef Weber said, “I was excited to see this was actually started here at Dover AFB and that the Airmen have an opportunity to learn a life skill that they will actually take with them once they leave.”

In collaboration with these guest chefs, base nutritionists and dieticians see Dorm to Gourm as a forum in which to teach Airmen how to prepare meals that are not only delicious – and deliciously inexpensive – but healthy and nourishing.

“The Dorm to Gourm program is a great way to prepare our Airmen for success during the mission and long after,” said Tracey Gaines, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron registered dietician. “Partnering with local chefs, my goal is to help present healthy ways of meal preparation and cooking that not only taste amazing but that optimize the performance of our active-duty service members.”

Once the meal is prepared, the Airmen partake of the meal together, which provides a unique opportunity for them to make new friends and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.

When asked why she wanted to serve as a Dorm to Gourm guest chef, Safranek replied, “I see Airmen as my kids. I want them to have some homemade food [and] talk to people … They’re homesick. This way, through Dorm to Gourm, you open up and talk to people.”

Col. Joel Safranek, 436th AW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, 436th AW command chief, participated in the program as well to show their support for developing and equipping Airmen with the life skills they need to take care of themselves and their families.

In total, 11 people from all over the base participated.

Had Julius Caesar been there, he would have had the last word of the night after his last bite: “I came, I talked, I conquered (my plate).”

Dorm to Gourm classes are free and are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the base gym’s kitchen/classroom. Each month offers something different with classes open to all ranks and spouses. To register for classes, sign up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DormtoGourm, or call Dawne Nickerson-Banez at 302-677-6575.