Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Galley Wins 6th Consecutive 5-Star Accreditation

By Mark O. Piggott, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Public Affairs

YORKTOWN, Va. (NNS) -- Scudder Hall Galley at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (WPNSTA Yorktown) was awarded its sixth consecutive 5-Star accreditation, Oct. 2, from Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA).

The 5-Star accreditation for food service excellence is based on the review team's on-site evaluation of strict criteria regarding the overall quality of food service, including records, inventory practices, training, sanitation, and food preparation.

"The 5-Star accreditation represents what you do every day, which is a level of service that your customers depend on," said Mr. Bill Dorris, CNRMA Food Service Director. "When you can meet that criteria, day-after-day, it means a lot."

"The [galley's] '5-Star' selection as a premier food service operation is attributed to the professionalism and commitment to provide exceptional quality of life for all our patrons," said Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Allen, WPNSTA Yorktown Supply Officer. "Success in this competition takes a total-team effort."

The level of excellence established by food service operations is raising the "quality of life standard" throughout the Navy. The award serves as the standard for the top contenders to be evaluated on a point system, and recommended for contention by the Ney Ashore Accreditation Review Team for the annual Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Awards.

According to Dorris, the 5-Star accreditation represents why patrons keep coming back to the galleys across the Navy.

"The quality of the food served is the most important aspect of the 5-Star accreditation because you're only as good as your last meal," Dorris explained. "Customer service and quality of food is the most important aspect of the 5-Star accreditation and you're superb at what you do."

"You all did this as a team over a period of a year," added Captain Paul Haebler, commanding officer, WPNSTA Yorktown. "It's not a snapshot, it's a long term look and you should be very proud of what you've accomplished."

Everyone agrees that the big winners in this competition are not the food service staff at Scudder Hall galley, but the many patrons who directly benefit from their outstanding accomplishments.