Dishing it all out at UW

by Jon Musser

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 00:00

Ever wonder how those trays in a dormitory dining hall disappear and return clean? Or where your blueberry torte was made?

Look no further than the small army of University of Wisconsin food service student workers.

Hundreds of undergraduates labor in 2-to-3-hour shifts to keep the cooking pans greased and behind-the-scenes action running smoothly.

With five full dining rooms, two carryout stores and three coffeehouses, there are a variety of positions available at one of the largest employers on campus.

"I enjoy my job; everyone likes everyone. It's a good atmosphere, and it's pretty easy," said UW freshman Kent Shanley, a Carson's employee.

Students work in a hierarchy under the management of student supervisors, who are upperclassmen, and report to a small staff of UW managers.

With superiors so close in age, students also feel a sense of flexibility with jobs in food service.

"The supervisors are really cool. They're students, so they're always understanding when you have to work around classes and exams," said UW freshman Steve Schumacher, an employee at Elizabeth Waters.

Most employees work on a rotation, performing different jobs each time they work. One day they could swipe student IDs as a cashier or scoop ladlefuls of signature dishes like the "18 wheeler dealer" of chicken rings the next. Other days could be filled with food stocking or dishwasher duties.

While some tasks provide a relaxed atmosphere, some, like dish washing, can be quite hectic, according to Schumacher.

"I'd say the easiest job is serving the food, although sometimes you get some pretty intense people who want their food," Schumacher said.

According to UW freshman Matt Dyksra, a Frank's employee, the toughest task was learning the ropes on the cash register during "lunchtime madness."

Getting an insider's perspective of food production also allows student workers to rest assured in the quality of the meals.

"After working in the dish room, I feel a lot better about eating the food here," said UW freshman Katy Fiallo, an employee at Elizabeth Waters.

Fiallo said her time at food service has been the easiest job she's ever worked.

Students work shifts at virtually every hour of the day from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. for delivery.

Shanley said late nights on the road sometimes produce some interesting scenes behind the dorm doors. His most memorable delivery came late one night last semester.

"I once delivered to a room when two people were having sex," Shanley said.