JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A class that was designed to provide Airmen living in the dorm with cooking skills during the renovation of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's Rendezvous Dining Facility is now open to all Airmen E-4 and below.
Formerly called "Dorm to Gourm," the class has been renamed "Kitchen Addiction" and will continue through the summer with sessions scheduled June 25, July 17, July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 27 at the Human Performance Resource Center.
"We're responding to our customers," Shae Peters, 359th Aerospace-Medicine Squadron Health Promotions Program coordinator, said. "They've told us they'd like to see classes for Airmen who live off-base as well."
Airmen who live in the dorm may now use their meal cards to eat at the Kendrick Club while the DFAC is being renovated, but the Dorm to Gourm cooking class, which began April 3, was initiated to give Airmen another option.
Kitchen Addiction will build on the success of Dorm to Gourm, which, Peters estimated, was attended by more than half of the Airmen's dorm residents during its seven sessions.
"There were two or three times when we had to turn people away because we reached the maximum number," she said.
Peters said the Kitchen Addiction classes are based on the suggestions of students who completed surveys for the Dorm to Gourm classes. She said the young Airmen are interested in a hands-on approach to cooking healthy meals on a budget.
"The summer schedule encompasses all the feedback we've received," Peters said.
Upcoming class themes are "The Great Stromboli," "Chill and Grill," "Skirt Steak Pinwheels," "Crockpot Tres" and "The Great Gumbo Cook-Off."
Veteran chefs Dianna Ackerley and Paul Rossmeier will continue to provide their expertise during the summer classes, Peters said.
"They're giving students tips and techniques that are groundbreaking, with the latest kitchen tools," she said. "They're teaching safe cooking practices and showing students how to equip a kitchen. The tips have been amazing."
Peters said the classes have been "a huge team effort" supported by the JBSA-Randolph Chiefs' Group, HPRC staff members, the chefs and Airmen themselves, who are providing assistance in areas such as marketing and helping to set up and clean up.
One of the Airmen will actually be an instructor during Kitchen Addiction. Airman 1st Class Sean Murgo, Air Force Personnel Center separation technician, will teach the class on "Skirt Steak Pinwheels" at 5:30 p.m. July 30 at the HPRC.
"I learned how to make stuffed mushrooms from a family recipe and skirt steak pinwheels from a friend I made here at JBSA-Randolph," he said. "It is simple to make but sounds complicated, and I am excited to teach everyone how to make one of my most famous dishes."
Murgo said the sessions have exceeded his expectations.
"My expectation was a class that taught how to prepare easy-to-make and creative foods, and it did that and some more, from learning to make sushi, omelets and lasagna to preparing fruits and vegetables," he said. "I have actually learned quite a bit from the class and am glad to be a part of it."
Airman 1st Class Ariana Rodriguez, 359th AMDS Aerospace and Operational Physiology Flight technician and Team Randolph Airmen's Council president, said she has benefited from the classes professionally and personally. She has also helped with marketing.
"I've met a lot of people from the dorm by attending these classes, learned new cooking techniques and cooked with new utensils that I had no idea existed," she said. "I personally am very excited to see the program grow and expand in such a short amount of time and also hearing about all the great experiences, whether it's networking, socializing or eating healthier."
For more information on Kitchen Addiction, call the HPRC at 652-2300.