Greetings from UConn!

Hi there! We're the NACUFS interns at the University of Connecticut (UConn)!

My name is Mariel and I am from Shoreview, MN. My major is Nutrition, and I have a Food Systems Minor. I just finished my junior year at the University of Minnesota and I'm excited to spend 8 weeks here in the East Coast.

My name is Abby and I am from Curtice, Ohio and just finished my third year at Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. I am a Dietetics and Nutrition major and this is my first time being in New England so I can't wait to explore!

In front of our apartment on move-in day

                               McMahon Dining Hall

Our first few days were spent moving in and meeting lots of new and welcoming faces that make up UConn's dining services. We saw most of the 8 dining halls that UConn has on campus. McMahon is currently the main dining hall this summer where many incoming Huskies come during orientation. We eat lunch here everyday with all our new friends.

After settling in, we explored downtown Storrs where we found many shops, restaurants, and a puppetry museum. We also found some neat swings by Mirror Lake with phrases etched onto them.

 Swings next to Mirror Lake

On orientation day, we went to the UConn Dairy Bar for a cold treat and then visited the horse stables, where we saw horses and other farm animals.

Banana chocolate chip from the UConn Dairy Bar

A foal at the horse stables

There was a pleasant welcome reception on Thursday at Chuck & Augie's, located inside the Student Union. Our internship coordinator, Carol Cronin, told us there was a wonderful turn out. We were also called the best dressed interns (we don't have a picture of us dressed up but take our word for it). We then went to Bishop where Gayle Meisner (Computer Systems Manager) and her assistant, Lindsey Polhemus, taught us how to use FoodPro - UConn's food service software. We will use this software to complete our major project, which is a 4-week salad rotation for the dining halls.

We also met with Peter Haynes to go over purchasing and procurement. Peter went over some inventory and ordering as well as gave us a tour of the Commissary. He showed us the bakery where he conveniently forgot to show us the "snack rack." Ron Swiller (Assistant Culinary Director) was nice enough to share his knowledge of the "snack rack" with us.

After we finished work for the day, we decided to explore our backyard. We found the Albert E. Moss Forest, Wildflower, and Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a beautiful trail that wraps around a pond and is naturally decorated with a waterfall. We enjoyed our explorations!

Abby posing near the edge of the path
at Albert E. Moss

Friday was our first day of chef training. We had the pleasure of working with Chefs Bruce Haney and Angel Soto.

Abby -  I learned how to make lots of pancakes from Bruce. He even showed me how to be artistic and make a Mickey Mouse pancake for the students. Then I helped him prep some vegetables for dinner. Bruce was extremely patient with me as I asked many questions about where things were in the kitchen. I am very grateful to have been able to shadow him for the morning.

Mariel - I made scrambled eggs with Angel for the breakfast crowd. After the morning rush was over, we prepped for lunch by making 20 lbs of penne pasta! Angel also gave me a tour of the kitchen and taught me about the equipment they use. Scotty, another chef working at McMahon, described Angel as "someone who is always happy" and I couldn't agree more. I'm thankful to have spent the morning learning from a fine chef like Angel.

Chef Bruce Haney, Abby, Chef Angel Soto and Mariel

After our chef training we were picked up by Jim Kupchunos (Whitney Manager) to go help him pick up the bees for the University bee hives. We had the privilege of riding in the car with 30,000 bees. We almost made it out completely unharmed until a bee found its way up Mariel's pant leg. Thankfully, no one is allergic and crisis was averted. Sadly, it was raining so we could not introduce the bees to the hive. However, it was still a great experience, stings and all.

Mariel hiding her fear of bees with a smile,
as she carries a box of bees

On Friday night, we explored Manchester, Connecticut and ate at Maggie McFly's. After dinner we did some window shopping in the mall and took a carousel ride.

Our fun carousel ride!

On Saturday, we took a road trip to Newport, Rhode Island. Here we toured The Breakers and the Rosecliff, both Gilded Age mansions on the shoreline. The Breakers was a vacation "cottage" for the Vanderbilt family and the Rosecliff was the mansion used in the filming of the first Great Gatsby movie.

A view off of the Cliff Walk

The Breakers Backyard

The Rosecliff House

Mariel and Abby at the Breakers

Mariel kneeling beside our glorious rock tower

After our tours we walked the Cliff Walk where we felt the cold Atlantic Ocean and built a small rock tower. Apparently that's how you get street cred in Newport. The 3.5-mi cliff walk seemed endless but we were able to crash a wedding through the bushes on our way back up the shoreline!

Wedding we crashed from the Cliff Walk

On Sunday, we explored Hartford, Connecticut. We toured the Mark Twain house and the Elizabeth Rose Gardens. The rain tried to put a damper on our day but we went to Tisane for some 3pm brunch to warm us up before heading home.

We definitely have the Mark Twain pose down

Abby who? I only see Mark Twain!

Elizabeth Rose Gardens

A rose with droplets of rain

Until next week,

Abby and Mariel