The State High kitchen staff are hard-working, yet kind, but underappreciated people even though they are some of the most important people in the building.
“I like to help everybody… My main [job] is like, cashiering, but sometimes if somebody else needs help, I’ll be in to help them,” Nina Troyan, a student-favorite cashier, said.
In the busy world of State High, the hardest workers of the school might not be the students, but the kitchen staff. Every day, the staff usually comes in at around 8:30 a.m. to get ready to provide a much-needed break for the students, while also ensuring they have nutritious meals.
But what do the kitchen staff themselves enjoy the most working here?
“I like the students, I like people you know, and so I love to be with students,” Young Joo Kim, who works at the nacho line, said.
Some students might not pay attention to the staff during lunch, but they sure pay attention to students. Just like you, they get annoyed like anyone would. There are a few things that annoy the staff that they wish students could improve on.
“Sometimes they put something from the table and put it back and put another one, and like, I mean the pizza slice, or sometimes they like, wait for the new one, it gets really busy here and I don’t like this,” Zizi (Seyedehzahra) Ghetmiri said.
This seemingly small act slows down the process, causes unnecessary confusion, and creates extra work for the staff who do not have to clean up after the discarded food items. It’s a simple idea to pick what you want before grabbing anything and to avoid causing issues. Being mindful, considerate, and knowing what you want beforehand helps keep the cafeteria running efficiently for everyone. Everyone should enjoy their job. Two dedicated workers shared what their favorite aspect of working back in the kitchen was.
“It’s kind of like a battle. Where there’s a challenge ahead of you and you prepare for that challenge. And then you execute, and you achieve. You know, the desired result? And then, also, people enjoy what you do,” Chef Jason Revis said.
“They’re not aware of what their account balances are, so then if they come through with extras, and they don’t have money, I hate taking that from them,” Diane Hoy, baker and checkout worker, said. “It’s busy, super busy all the time from the time you want in here to the time you leave… I like being busy.”
The voices of cafeteria staff offer important views into the daily operations, challenges, and rewards of their roles in the high school environment. These perspectives highlight the importance of meals but also create a welcoming atmosphere for students. Despite the often underappreciated nature of their work, the cafeteria staff play a crucial role in the overall well-being of the school community. Their dedication to serving students will always go above and beyond. It becomes clear that their efforts deserve greater recognition and appreciation.
