Written by Carey Linkous
Carey Linkous
“What is something you would like students to know coming into this semester?” That’s the question I asked Chef Matt when I interviewed him at the beginning of this semester. He shed some light on three different ways that we, as students, can be more self-aware in our dining experience in Commons.
RC is our home
Chef Matt is focused on creating an enjoyable dining experience for all students. “I just work here. I always remember that this is where you all live, so I want you to feel like it’s home.” He made it clear that he wants a “student on the meal plan” dining experience, meaning that we as the students have the largest influence in what is being served on campus.
“I want you guys to tell me what you want…if there are new items, I certainly can’t always say yes, but I try to never say no,” he says. If you’ve got an item you would like to see on the Commons menu, don’t hesitate to tell the dining staff!
Educating Our Pallets
How often do you think about what you’re eating? Chef Matt made it clear that too often many of us on campus don’t consider what we eat. “I want to make students think. I want to educate their pallets. I want them to think about what they’re eating and I want them to think about what they’re wasting,” said Chef Matt. He is very aware of the food waste epidemic occurring across the country’s college campuses.. Food Recovery Network states that 22 million pounds of food is wasted every year on college campuses, and 40% of that food ends up rotting in landfills. To decrease the waste on our campus, Chef Matt encourages getting smaller portions. “You can always get more,” he says. He also encourages us as students to ask for samples of the food from the dining staff. They will be more than happy to give a small taste!
Be Creative
“Don’t be a pizza/pasta kid!” Chef Matt was very clear that he wanted to give students the opportunity to try different types of food. He said, “Learn how to manipulate Commons in a way that works for you. Expand your pallet. Learn to try new things.” Having a “go-to” meal in Commons is never a bad idea but branching out and trying new things can improve your dining experience as a student here on campus.
We are lucky at RC to have such an understanding and amazing dining staff. Chef Matt made it clear to me that he wants the RC dining plan to be geared towards the students because this is our home. Use this week to be aware and mindful in Commons!
