Culinary icon Guy Fieri to meet soldiers, culinary specialists at Madigan

October 24, 2012

LACEY, WASHINGTON — On Saturday, Nov. 3, “culinary rock star” Guy Fieri will take to the kitchen of Madigan Army Medical Center with his trademark gusto, cooking up hospitality and entertainment for a group of invited soldiers.

During his visit, Fieri, the restaurateur and popular host of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, will join a group of Madigan’s culinary specialists in the kitchen, providing his own brand of high-energy epicurean instruction and inspiration. Following his food-focused adventures with the specialists, Fieri will spend time with wounded, ill and injured soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB).

The “Afternoon with Guy Fieri” at Madigan Army Medical Center is presented by Saint Martin’s University, which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its extension campuses at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and sponsored by America’s Credit Union. On the evening of Nov. 3, Saint Martin’s University will welcome Fieri to its Lacey campus as celebrity chef for its annual Saint Martin’s Gala. Last year’s Gala featured chef Mario Batali and generated $600,000, a record amount for the annual scholarship fundraiser.

A longtime supporter of servicemen and women serving our country, Fieri has visited bases in the Persian Gulf, Guantanamo Bay and Hawaii.

“We’re excited to host Guy Fieri and look forward to him bringing his culinary magic to our kitchen,” said Col. Dallas Homas, Madigan Army Medical Center commander. “Our soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion are especially thrilled for the opportunity to interact with this celebrity chef.” 

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to connect Guy with the WTB Soldiers as part of our pre-Gala festivities,” said Roy Heynderickx, Ph.D., president of Saint Martin’s University. “This year, Saint Martin’s Gala will feature a special focus on the military, as we celebrate four decades of ‘serving those who serve us’ on our Joint Base Lewis-McChord extension campuses. The Madigan event is the perfect way to kick off the day.”

Guy Fieri will be visiting Madigan Army Medical Center and WTB Soldiers Saturday, Nov. 3. Event begins at 12:45 p.m.; media wishing to attend need to arrive at the Madigan Gate, exit 122, no later than 12:15 p.m. Special requirements: closed toed shoes and headgear are required in the kitchen. Paper hats will be available, however media are encouraged to bring a baseball-style hat or cap. Media interested in attending Guy Fieri’s Madigan visit should R.S.V.P. to Carrie Bernard at 253-968-1901 or carrie.bernard@us.army.mil NLT Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. 

Guy Fieri will be on the Lacey campus of Saint Martin’s University for Meet the Chef, 4-5:30 p.m., and the Saint Martin’s Gala, 7 p.m. Media interested in attending Meet the Chef or the Gala should contact Jennifer Fellinger at 360-438-4332, 360-200-9265 or jfellinger@stmartin.edu NLT Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a wooded campus of more than 300 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 23 majors and seven graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education, nursing and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,100 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and 300 more undergraduate students to its extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Centralia College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.

Headquartered at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Madigan Healthcare System is a network of Army medical facilities located throughout Washington and California that serve active duty service members, their families and retirees. Madigan is a system of health that provides a wide array of medical services, such as general medical and surgical care, adult and pediatric primary care, a 24-hour emergency room, specialty clinics, wellness services, and environmental health services. Madigan is one of only three designated Level II trauma centers throughout the U.S. Army Medical Command, as well as an unparalleled teaching facility and modern research platform. Visit the Madigan website at www.mamc.amedd.army.mil or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MadiganHealth.

For additional information:

Sarah Holdener
Director of event services
Office of Event Services
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4403
sholdener@stmartin.edu