Cedar Lake Cellars’ cook and United States Army Specialist Blake Gross was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his outstanding service.  Gross is a Specialist for the Forward Support Company, the 206^th Engineer Battalion, and the Kentucky National Guard. Gross has served with the United States Army for four-and-a-half years.  He has worked as a cook at Cedar Lake Cellars for nearly two years and is the lead chef in the winery’s event kitchen. Gross earned his medal during annual training at the Sustainment Training Center in Owensboro, Kentucky.  According to Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer Melanie Wallace, Gross “used his civilian catering experience to train other Food Service personnel in various techniques and methods of cooking they were unfamiliar with.  This ultimately led to a higher quality of Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) product and proficiency for the entire section.” Wallace said Gross performed “duties as Shift Leader, one level above his current rank.”  She added that “the opportunity to lead boosted his morale and Esprit de Corps of the entire team as they watched a fellow Soldier succeed.” Cedar Lake Cellars is located at 11008 Schreckengast Rd. in Wright City, Mo.  For more information, call Cedar Lake Cellars at (636) 745-9500 or visit http://www.cedarlakecellars.com.Cedar Lake Cellars' cook Blake GrossRochelleBrandveinrochelle@brandveinpr.com