New chef looks to improve club's direction

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  A new chef is on board at the Minuteman Club and is ready to make the dining experience a memorable one for club patrons.

Robert Donovan arrived at Hanscom in November, bringing with him a wealth of culinary and leadership experience in the civilian sector. His main goal as chef is simple: save it from closing its doors.

Chef Donovan has already incorporated changes in a step toward accomplishing that goal.

"Overall the menu has not changed over the past three months, but the processes by which they are created have," he said. "Instead of buying and serving pre-packaged food, we're making it from scratch in the kitchen. This has significantly reduced costs, which in turn have increased profits."

In addition, the chef is working hard to create a positive culture in the kitchen where each employee is a valuable member who should care deeply about the product being served.

"Experience is not a driving factor in success. Teaching employees how to work well together, instill enthusiasm and ensure that each plate of food served is perfect is what keep customers coming back," Chef Donovan added.

In addition to the lunch menu, which is also available in the pub in the evenings, the club offers an updated catering menu, more dinner specials and a variety of themed special events, such as the Gourmet Dinner served last week.

Although many members of the Hanscom community mistakenly believe that the club is private, anyone who has access to the base can use the club, the chef said.

"I want people to believe in their club and want to enjoy lunch at it. You can't find a much better meal for the cost anywhere."

After receiving his culinary degree at Culinary Institute of America, the chef worked around the world at award-winning civilian restaurants in Morocco, Ireland, Washington, D.C, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Oregon. Now he is bringing his talent and experience to Hanscom.

More information on the club's special events and catering, as well as the lunch and dinner menus, are available on The Minuteman Club's web page at www.hanscomservices.com/MinutemanClub.asp.