Week Two at the University of New Hampshire!

So many new and exciting things happening! I am thoroughly enjoying my stay here in New Hampshire. This week I was able to experience a number of events and areas contributing to the food service world here at UNH.

Monday was Memorial Day, so I had the day off and was able to spend sometime with the other girls living in my building. They are interns that attend UNH and have been super helpful in acclimating me to the college.

I continued my work at Union Court helping out pretty much with everything. I have bonded well with the staff here and defiantly feel more than welcomed. On Tuesday and Wednesday I was trained on FoodPro, which is the food management software program used here at the university. Chris was an awesome trainer. We went through basic information, printing inventory, inventory control, location cost summaries, and naming conventions. I also experienced Recipe Training and various functions contributing to recipes in FoodPro.

Plates in Holloway commons, (one of
3 dining halls on campus) I loved the
"myplate" theme.

In foodpro training with some dining and nutrition staff!

This week we also met with two vendors, Willow Tree Poultry Farms and Island Oasis. Steve from Willow Tree was very friendly and provided various products for us to taste. Willow Tree produces fresh chicken salads and dips. Some of the flavors include original, cranberry and walnut, buffalo chicken, avocado, and sriracha. Steve also had some grab-and-go style products with him. The salads where delicious, fresh, and unique. The other vendor, Island Oasis, is a company that distributes pre-made smoothie mixes made from fruits. The college is interested in making the smoothie option a part of various retail locations. We gave Andre a tour of all the college's retail locations and brain stormed options for the product.

Chicken Salads provided by Willow Tree for taste testing.

Towards the end of the week and also part of the weekend, I was lucky enough to spend time with the university's Conferences and Catering team. UNH is well known for not only the catering done for events involving the college but also outside events, such as weddings, birthdays, or retirement parties. This weekend just so happened to be alumni weekend. On Friday, I learned how to plan, stage, setup, run, and break down a catering event. We served 130 alumni, for a cocktail party, that included a full bar and hors d'oeuvres. I learned catering is very much organized chaos, you must work with what you've got and always be prepared for the unexpected! I was also able to stop in for a few minutes at a large cook out that was serving the same 130 alumni, plus more (after our cocktail party). I was so impressed with the event, from its setup to the fact that they were serving fresh seafood to about 200 people.

Outdoor Catering event (about 200 alumni). The tent set up was extrodinary

All the alumni worked their way down a serving line, their destiny...? Fresh lobster, clams, potatoes, corn, and more!

On Saturday, I continued work with conferences and catering. I attended the alumni luncheon, which hosted all the alumni who came for the weekend. A cold pre-plated meal was served, and waiters were manning the floor. In the evening, I again staged, set-up, ran, and broke down a dinner party. We served the class of 1956, who were celebrating their 60th College Reunion! I can not express how much I learned, how much fun I had, and how much I appreciate the time I got to spend with these alumni. At one point I almost began crying, because the speech that was given by one of the class members was so beautiful.

Pre-plated luncheon event!

I have a thing for cars! lol this was an awesome vintage ford sitting outside the alumni event!

The most delicious flour-less cake I've ever had! 

Class of 1956!

I learned how to properly set a dining table!