MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- Duncan Hall was recognized as the best civilianized Marine Corps mess hall in 2007, winning the Maj. Gen. W.P.T. Hill Memorial award for the second year in a row.
Duncan Hall triumphed over 44 West Coast mess halls during the initial evaluation, Oct. 25.
The Maj. Gen. W. P. T. Hill Memorial Award is an annual award designed to improve mess hall operations and acknowledge the best dining facility in the Corps. The mess halls were evaluated on management, food preparation, sanitation, serving techniques, food acceptability, conservation measures, equipment, personal hygiene, receiving, storage procedures and implementation of the Facility Improvement Program.
“The most important thing to remember while preparing for an inspection is attention to detail. It wasn’t difficult to prepare for the inspection because we do proper maintenance to our facility throughout the year,” said Andrew Place, general manger for Duncan Hall.
Duncan Hall offers an extra entrée to provide a larger selection during lunch and dinner, and has menu specials every month.
“We want to provide customers with the very best, which means constantly enhancing the menu,” said Capt. Richard Martinez, director of food services for the depot. “The ambience of this facility is another attribute to its greatness.”
“I can never go wrong by eating at Duncan Hall,” said Sgt. Jorge Ruelas, Headquarters Company, noncommissioned officer in charge. “There is always an extensive selection and great service.”
Over the last eight months, Duncan Hall has incorporated more than $645,000 in improvements for digital menu screens, new cooking equipment and maintaining the facility, said Martinez.
Renetia Hall, assistant manager, attributes a large portion of Duncan Hall’s success to the strong relationship between the civilian workers and the Marines.
“It is a delight to serve the Marines. We make it a priority to give them the best customer service possible and make sure the facility is a clean and enjoyable environment,” said Herlinda Zuniga, mess attendant.
The Hill Team congratulated staff members for their accomplishments and thanked them for providing excellent food service for the personnel aboard the depot.
“Although I can go off base to eat, the quality and quantity of the food at Duncan Hall is great,” said Ruelas.