FORT HOOD, Texas – The III Armored Corps and Fort Hood will host the grand opening of 42 Bistro, the Army’s first campus-style dining venue, at 2 p.m. Feb. 18.

The grand opening ceremony will feature Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, Army Materiel Command commanding general, Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, and Robert Irvine, celebrity chef. Following the ribbon-cutting, the dining facility will open for full service at 3 p.m.

The 42 Bistro is the first of five pilot restaurants to open as part of the Army’s broader food program modernization strategy which will revolutionize how the Army feeds its Soldiers offering a more modern, convenient, nutritious and high-quality dining experience.

Led by Army Materiel Command, the initiative leverages industry expertise to operate facilities much like those on college campuses, responding directly to Soldier feedback requesting greater variety, flexible hours, and improved dining environments. The facility will be operated by Compass Group USA, Inc., under a contract awarded in August 2025.

Under the supervision of a master chef, 42 Bistro will feature multiple food stations and provide a variety of service options, including à la carte, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. The extended hours and modern ambiance are designed to create a venue where Soldiers want to dine, providing an on-post option that also allows them to maximize their meal entitlements.

Media interested in covering the event should submit this form by 3 p.m. Feb. 17. Media should meet the public affairs escort at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 18 in the south-side parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitor Center.