Pride in Foodservice Week
February 5 – 9, 2024
Pride in Foodservice Week applauds nutrition and foodservice professionals and other members of the nutritional team for their hard work and dedication on the job.
This year we will be thanking our staff as well as featuring our staff and why they are proud to be a part of the food service industry and the NC State Dining team.
STAFF FEATURES
Chef Joe LaPorte
Executive Chef at Fountain Dining Hall | 30 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
It means to be dedicated to your art and to love what you do. To appreciate all of what the food industry has to offer and those that make that possible.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
I am proud of the food service staff here at Fountain Dining Hall and all the hard work they put forth day in and day out. They are dedicated to making each meal special for our patrons. I am nominating the entire kitchen staff for having pride in their jobs and a love for food. It takes a team to accomplish all we do every day. Thank you Fountain staff!
Floretta “Flo” Jones
Cook at On the Oval Food Hall | 14 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
Creating food that is healthy for guests and seeing them smile. Getting feedback and compliments about the food I prepare.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
When I was working at the pizza station and learned the process from start to finish, it felt rewarding to create the sauce, stretch the dough and place the toppings. It challenged me to learn new things like making different kinds of pizzas. I even received a Certified Pizza Maker Certificate from my manager Hanna.
Gwen Shire
Food Service Tecnician at On the Oval Food Hall | 19 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
Working to the best of my ability to make the customer happy.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
Every day when guests come in and ask for a hug!
Mo Falih
Cook at On the Oval Food Hall | 25 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
Ensuring the food you prepare tastes good to make people happy.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
When I had a food cart in NY, the line was longer than any of the other vendors. There were many happy customers enjoying gyro wraps and I loved cooking on the grill. Guests would come from offices all around to say, ‘hi’ to me and get a gyro.
Erich E. Kronschnabel
General Manager at The Terrace | 43 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
A chance to appreciate an under-appreciated workforce. We are the only segment of the workforce whose employees did not return to Foodservice work after COVID. Yet, since 1970, Americans have been eating out an increasingly higher percentage of meals each year.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
In 2003 I bought my first restaurant, The Pettibone Tavern.
Christine Gift
Supervisor at Port City Java – Park Shops | 25 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
Pride in foodservice means that you care about excellence and hospitality. When you serve people food, it’s more than just providing food and drink. It’s about community, safety and comfort. We provide a place for students to meet their friends, study, relax, and just take a quiet moment in their day.
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
I worked at the vet school for 6 years. Some students would come every day to get their drinks and snacks. A student wrote the sweetest note about how much it meant to her that I was there every day and prepared her drink with a smile. It was so meaningful to me to receive that kindness from her. Whenever I would see students at graduation taking pictures, I would go out and take photos with them. I was so proud to see their success. Vet school is extremely challenging, and I was happy to be able to provide a small respite in their day.
Kyle Johnston
Cook at The Terrace | 10 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
It means consistently providing a quality service to any and all customers who walk through our doors.
Shelley Kelly
Supervisor at Hill of Beans | 13 Years in Foodservice
What does pride in foodservice mean to you personally?
I get great pleasure in satisfying our guests with great customer service and positive energy. I love interacting with the students and making sure that they are pleased. I want to help them have a great study experience. It’s all about the students. If it weren’t for them we wouldn’t have a job. We want their visit to be awesome when they come so they keep coming back. Good food and good service!
Can you share a specific moment or experience in your foodservice career that made you especially proud?
About 3 years ago, one of my regular customers had been coming in since I started. The day that he graduated, he came in wearing his cap and gown and carrying his diploma. He came to thank me for all of the great customer service and all of the pep talks. He said, “Without you, I would not have gotten this diploma. There were days when I was down and frustrated, but you would take the time to talk with me and it helped me get through.” We took a picture together in his cap and gown. My uncle used to call me “Motormouth” and now it’s starting to pay off. That is one of my proudest moments right there.
FOR OUR GUESTS:
Want to give a shout-out to a staff member?
- Acknowledge them any time by mentioning them by name when you use our feedback program.
- During Pride in Foodservice Week you will be able to sign our ‘Thank You’ posters as well as write personalized messages on ‘Thank You’ cards and sticky notes for our staff.