In Honor of Sergeant First Class David Allen
Today, a chair sits empty at the Luchals dinner table, and our hearts are heavy with both grief and gratitude. We pause not only to mourn a tremendous loss, but to honor a life of service, leadership, and lasting impact. Today we recognize the extraordinary legacy of Sergeant First Class David Allen — a decorated Army Chef, mentor, and leader whose influence shaped thousands of culinary Soldiers and forever elevated the standard of excellence within the United States Army.
SFC David Allen was far more than a master of his craft. As a proud 92G — an Army Culinary Specialist — he embodied what it meant to serve with precision, discipline, and pride. Throughout his distinguished military career, he trained and developed generations of culinary professionals, leaving an indelible mark on the Army’s food service community. His impact was not confined to a single duty station or class of Soldiers; it was far-reaching, extending across installations, competitions, and kitchens around the world.
During his time at Fort Carson, SFC Allen played a pivotal role in shaping and mentoring countless Soldiers. His kitchens were not merely places where meals were prepared — they were classrooms of leadership. Standards were high. Expectations were clear. Growth was not optional; it was required. He demanded excellence not to intimidate, but to prepare. He understood that discipline in the kitchen translated to discipline in life and on the battlefield.
He taught far more than recipes, knife skills, or plating techniques. He instilled accountability when no one was watching. He built resilience in the face of pressure. He cultivated integrity in every action. He reinforced that pride in the craft was not arrogance — it was respect for the uniform, the mission, and the Soldiers being served. Under his leadership, culinary competitions were not simply events; they were opportunities to sharpen discipline, teamwork, and confidence.
Among those profoundly influenced by his mentorship was Chef Lucas, who had the distinct honor of training directly under SFC Allen’s leadership. Competing together in American Culinary Federation Army culinary competitions and serving side by side in uniform, SFC Allen helped mold and refine the very foundation that shaped Chef Lucas into the chef and leader she is today. His guidance was steady. His expectations were unwavering. His belief in developing others was intentional and deeply personal.
The standards upheld at Luchals — precision, consistency, integrity, and leading from the front — are not accidental. They are deeply rooted in the military training, discipline, and example set by SFC Allen. Every dish executed with care reflects the lessons he taught. Every service delivered with excellence echoes his voice. Every leader developed within the organization carries forward a piece of his mentorship.
His influence extended beyond technique. He built confidence in young Soldiers who doubted themselves. He corrected with purpose, praised with sincerity, and led with authenticity. He understood that leadership was not about rank alone — it was about responsibility. Responsibility to train. Responsibility to protect standards. Responsibility to leave people better than you found them.
Today, though a seat at the table remains empty, his presence is still felt. It is felt in the cadence of a well-run kitchen. It is felt in the quiet focus before a service begins. It is felt in the pride of a Soldier standing tall in uniform. His legacy lives on in every 92G he trained, every competition team he prepared, and every kitchen influenced by his unwavering commitment to excellence.
Sergeant First Class David Allen’s life was one of service — to his country, to his Soldiers, and to his craft. His leadership built more than skilled chefs; it built disciplined professionals and confident leaders. His standards remain the benchmark. His mentorship remains the blueprint.
We honor him not only with words, but with action — by upholding the standards he demanded, by leading as he led, and by serving with the same pride and integrity he exemplified every day.
Rest easy, Sergeant First Class David Allen.
Your watch may be over, but your legacy continues in every kitchen you shaped and every life you touched.









