Meet the Chefs at Centennial

BY CORAL MUSY

FAMILY & MWR MARKETING

The Centennial Banquet and Conference Center offers all kinds of delicious food. The traditional lunch buffet, the exquisite family breakfast brunches for important holidays and even catering for your special events, but who are the chefs behind the food?

With more than 20 years of experience, Monica Caraveo recently joined the Centennial as the new Head Chef. Caraveo discovered her passion for cooking when her mom decided to enroll her in a job course as a disciplinary measure.

“I was a rebel in my younger years and my mom was over it, so she enrolled me in a job course where I would help in the food service,” said Monica.

Pursuing her passion for cooking, Monica graduated from Culinary School at Alaska University. She is certified by the American Culinary Federation and has left behind her “rebel” years. Monica is ready and excited to lead Centennial’s food services alongside her two sous-chefs Laura Cifuentes and Jorge Gibbs.

Sous-Chef Laura, is enjoying the transition from practice to a real kitchen. From an insurance agent to developing her passion for cooking and following what she loves, Laura graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Business Operations. Learning the process and confronting the challenges in a real business kitchen has been an enjoyable experience for Laura.

“I like to gain experience and grow, I enjoy the constant challenges that one can confront in a kitchen,” said Laura. Jorge Gibbs, sous-chef at the Centennial, has been working since he was 23 years old in a kitchen; Jorge started as a dishwasher, the most important kitchen position.

“I would pick up my mom after work, she used to work as a cooker … so instead of sitting inside my car and waiting for her to close, I would help her close by doing the dishes,” said Jorge. “Being a chef, the most important thing is the cleaning, the sanitation, the condition of the kitchen represents the chef.”

All three agree the most important part about being a chef is the people.

“If you don’t have the people, you can’t make it (business),” said Jorge.

Visit the chefs at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center during lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Centennial lunch service is open Tuesday through Friday and closed on Mondays. The Centennial Banquet and Conference Center also offers catering. For more information, call 915-744-1171.

Left to right: Jorge Gibbs, sous-chef, Monica Caraveo, head chef and Laura Cifuentes, sous-chef at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center.

BY NATALIE HINOJOS

FAMILY & MWR MARKETING

Goals are set, made and broken by people every day. Goals can be based on career ambitions but quite often, personal goals center around fitness. The staff at Ironworks East and West are ready to help you achieve those fitness goals. If you’re ready to push through the struggle to get to the top, it will be well worth the effort. Even if you don’t make it, the hard work still pays off, because you tried your best.

Ironworks West and Ironworks East are both Mission Essential Fitness (MEF) gyms. They are built to meet the goals of Soldiers, who are training as a requirement of their career, or even high school students, who are training for their athletic season. The staff will show you ways to meet your goals, the rest is really up to you. Ironworks West Sports Specialist, Tony McClure recently took the time to train a Soldier, who was selected to participate in the Special Forces selection process. 1st Lt. Domonique McCoy was the only female to make it into the selection process out of 327 males. Since November 2021, they trained at Ironworks West on hang clings, power clings, trap bar deadlifts, pull-ups and box jumps with 35 to 40 lbs. weight.

“She was awesome to train with and I know how much she wanted to succeed,” said Tony.

Unfortunately — because of the very strict selection process, it can be very difficult to pass — McCoy did not make it through the process due to a slight mistake that counted against her. This has not stopped her from moving forward with new career goals. McCoy has changed stations and is working on a new career path.

If you’re searching for new goals in your life, whether it’s physical training or career goals, it never hurts to at least try! Ironworks West and East will be there for those athletic goals and they are ready to help with different types of exercises to do or try. They have programs for teens, Soldiers, spouses and DoD Civilians. Don’t be shy, stop by and see what these gyms have to offer.

For more information, call Ironworks West at 915-568-2892 or East at 915-744-5201.

Left to right: 1st Lt.

Domonique

McCoy and

Tony McClure, Ironworks West sports specialist.

Need money for something important? Yes! Need it Now? Yes!

LET OMNI SAY YES TO YOU!

• Fixed rate loans from $500 to $10,000

• Fast, Friendly and

Trustworthy Service

• “Satisfaction Guaranteed” or we’ll cancel your loan

• Convenient monthly repayment terms

FINANCIAL

3910 Dyer Street, Suite E - El Paso OmniMilitaryLoans.com 915-566-6664