Thanksgiving is ‘Super Bowl’ for Army cooks

Thanksgiving is ‘Super Bowl’ for Army Cooks

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 – Private First Class Joyslin Valenzuela experienced her first Thanksgiving in the Army – and her first “Super Bowl” as a culinary specialist – at Joint Base Lewis-McChord this year. “Game day” for Valenzuela and her fellow cooks was Nov. 25, when Lancer Bistro held its Thanksgiving meal on Lewis North. She went to work at 5:30 a.m., helping to make and decorate baked goods for about 800 hungry service members expected to head …

Thanksgiving is ‘Super Bowl’ for Army cooks

The culinary specialists at Joint Base Lewis-McChord planned for months for their dining facilities' Thanksgiving meals, choosing themes, menu items, decorations and roles for each teammate. They shared a common goal of giving service members, their families and civilians a great holiday meal – and perhaps a taste of home – to remember.