Fort Campbell, KY – Wendell Hensley, Program Coordinator for Culinary Art in the Public Management & Criminal Justice division of Austin Peay State University, has fine-tuned the talents of thirteen U. S. Army cooks into the Fort Campbell Culinary Team headed to Fort Lee for the 38th Annual Military Culinary Arts Competition in March.
Hensley, who came to Austin Peay in 2002, describes this year’s team as the finest ever. They will be participating in the largest culinary competition in North America with service members from all branches participating.
About 300 cooks from across Fort Campbell’s food services competed to become members of this year’s team.Thirteen attended Clarksville Park and Recreation’s Chocolate Affair this year and astounded guests with their array of chocolate desserts ranging from truffles to taco-filled goodies.
Competition at Fort Lee will also feature individual awards.
The team recently practiced with a three-course restaurant style meal prepared in four hours or less to be served to 60 people. Guests ate an appetizer, entree and dessert with rave reviews.
Team manager, coach and trainer is Chief Warrnat Officer 3 Joseph Wisniewski of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He is described by Wendell Hensley as the best team leader ever.
In the past, teams from Fort Campbell have finished in the top three at the national competition but have never finished first. Hopes are that this is Fort Campbell’s year to top the heap.