FORT LEE, VA. – The 45th Annual Joint Culinary Training Exercise will be held at MacLaughlin Fitness Center on Fort Lee Mar. 7 – 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual military culinary competitive event, free and open to the public, administered by the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, is the largest American Culinary Federation (ACF)-sanctioned culinary competition in North America, showcasing the talent of more than 200 military chefs from around the globe in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and international military teams.
The Culinary Training Exercise features hot food challenges, live demonstrations, cooking competitions, food displays and more. Admission and parking are free and open to the general public. School and large groups are welcome. To arrange a group tour, email armyfortlee.pao@mail.mil.
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine is taking part in the event by providing a culinary demonstration on Monday, Mar. 9, at 1 p.m.
For those wishing to try the Military Hot Food Kitchen lunch meal, there are limited tickets available per team, with teams competing each day. The tickets are currently $5.65 and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will go on sale at 10:30 a.m. each day, and the meal starts at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 804-734-3106 or visit www.facebook.com/army.culinary.
The MacLaughlin Fitness Center is a half mile from the Lee Gate on Lee Avenue. Follow signs for parking.
Access for non-Department of Defense identification card holders to show a current driver’s license or government-issued identification card, which will be subject to a background check before being allowed to enter the installation unescorted.
Members of the press who would like to cover the event, please contact the Fort Lee Public Affairs Office 804-464-9289.
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