Every time you enter the cafeteria to get lunch or breakfast, you line up, get your food, sit, and gossip with your friends, but have you ever taken a moment to appreciate the work that the cafeteria staff does for the students at MHS?

Life in the Cafeteria

Cafeteria workers begin working well before 6:00 a.m., preparing breakfast.

Getting ready to serve lunch, the process actually begins the day before when the frozen food is put out to defrost so the following day it is ready to be heated up. When it comes to rice and some other types of food, it must be cooked the same day.

Yamile Kali, one of the chefs in the kitchen, said, “My priority is to cook the food deliciously for the students, and when I see that they like what I prepared, I get happy that my work was well done.”

Even though she works in the kitchen away from students, she is aware of the difficulties of her other coworkers. “Students must speak up when it’s time for them to get their food because it’s hard to tell what the students are pointing out with their fingers; we need them to communicate with us so we don’t make mistakes,” she said.

The majority of the kitchen staff’s shift ends at 1:30 p.m., but they must clean up before they leave: clean the trays, mop the floor, put away any leftovers, and prepare themselves for the following day.

Pros and Cons

Although their work is hard, there are still things that they enjoy about their jobs. All staff likes interacting with the students. The staff commented that they have fun when they’re around the students because they make jokes and laugh with them.

Another advantage for many workers is that they do not always do the same work every day; they are exposed to different areas of the kitchen and learn new things.

Cafeteria manager Ms. Cipriani, whose shift starts before 6:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m., also loves her job. She said, “Feeding the kids and seeing that they enjoy it is what I appreciate the most.”

Where there is an upside, there’s also a downside to work in the kitchen. Staff mentions that they do not have enough hours and the pay is not that good.

From the manager’s point of view, it is difficult when her staff does not show up for work because she is left short-handed. She also recognizes the amount of hours that the workers are given is insufficient, which affects the amount of money they receive.

Ways to Help

Some cafeteria staff believe that students do not cooperate with them. “They leave their trash everywhere, and when it comes to lining up for the food, they make it messy,” said one of the workers Leonor Nortinez.

Cafeteria worker Lorena Orosco acknowledges that not every student leaves the tables a mess, but there are some who do not pick up after themselves. She suggests that students pick up their own trash and behave appropriately while in line.

Cafeteria staff also advise students not to steal any kind of food when making the line.

Remember Stings: consider the work of others, especially the people that work for you. Help those who serve you, and you will feel gratitude.

Cafeteria Staff Word Soup

Can you find these words?

Cafeteria    Food    Staff     Help     Lunch