That he was named this year’s Armed Forces Junior Chef came as no surprise to Spc. Brian Lippert’s mother, Barbara. Her son has cooking in his blood. Barbara Lippert is owner of Jean’s Deli, on Second Avenue in Sequim, and she recalls that even as a child her son had a zeal for the culinary arts.

“He’s always loved to cook,” said Lippert. “He goes to bed and dreams about cooking and wakes up to cook.”

This year’s culinary competition was held in Fort Lee, Va. There were 180 military food service personnel competing in 40 contests. Lippert was awarded a total of four medals, one gold, one silver and two bronze, as well as being awarded the title Junior Chef of the Year.

Lippert graduated from

Sequim High School in 2003, took classes at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center and later graduated from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Ore.

The Lippert family lived in South Korea when Lippert’s father, Michael, was in the armed forces. Although at first Brian Lippert didn’t see himself as going into military service, he decided to enlist so he could study the culinary arts on site in Korea rather than inside a classroom. Today Lippert specializes in French-Asian food.

Lippert’s military service ends in May 2009. According to Barbara Lippert, when he returns she plans to put him to work creating a dinner menu for Jean’s Deli.