MID-SEMESTER NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2016
“ Your
willingness to continually excel at serving the university community is greatly appreciated ”
Hard to believe we are more than half way through
of made to order entrees at each meal period. The
have depicted continuous improvement on most
the second semester of what has certainly been a
student feedback regarding her customer service
of our business benchmarks. Congratulations to
busy one for everyone. Your willingness to con-
skills have been outstanding.
Alejandra and Cody!!
tinually excel at serving the university community
Secondly, Cody Begg, our Director of
Lastly, as we finish up the academic school year,
is greatly appreciated and for which we are most
Operations for much of the retail on campus has
I ask that you continue to strive to make every day
grateful.
been selected as the Salaried Associate of Year.
a safe day. You have made incredible improvement
That said we are proud to announce that the
Cody has been involved in many of the outstanding
this past year and I know the trend can continue
College Station Campus had two nominations
projects completed on campus during his tenure
with your sincere commitment to maintain an acci-
selected for this years Be a Star Awards.
and most recently opened the new Pavilion Grill
dent free workplace.
First, Alejandra De Felix from Sbisa was select-
Aggie Express, refreshed the MSC retail concepts
Thank you for all that you do,
ed as the hourly associate of the year for the Texas
and introduced the first Rev’s Express to the West
Region. Alejandra has done such a fantastic job at
Campus. The operations under Cody’s supervision
Lee Rapport
the Fire & Ice station this year serving hundreds
have shown tremendous year on year growth and
Vice President of Operations
NEED SOME EXTRA MOTIVATION?
“All our dreams can come
“Try not to become a person
“Success is the sum of
Save these inspirational quotes and keep these in
true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”
small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out.”
mind through out the day as you encounter situations where you need them.
-Walt Disney
-Albert Einstein
-Robert Collier
“”
MAKING ONE PERSON SMILE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. MAYBE NOT THE WHOLE WORLD, BUT THEIR WORLD. A smile can make a big difference in the life of the people that you encounter each day. The best part: Smiles are FREE! Co-workers, customers, managers- a smile can be just what someone needs to get through the day. Each of has a different daily struggle. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you helped someone through theirs? So today I encourage you to share a smile. I am betting that they will repay you.
Courtney Bryant Director of Marketing and Guest Experience
Chef’s from across campus participate in Sbisa’s Chili Cook-off.
BE OUR GUEST
about next year and focused on finishing! The
Spring Break and Easter are behind us and the
hardest part of any journey is right before you
campus is on its final push for summer!
finish where you can see the end but just can’t get
For
many of our guests, co-workers and maybe even
there quick enough!
ourselves on some occasions, this time of year can
Remember these truths while interacting every
be the most challenging. We have all had a LONG
day with our guests AND our co-workers. We
year of incredible business, long hours, and great
are all almost there! We are in it together and
improvement. Our student guests are cramming
we can be proud of how far we have come! Be
for finals, working all night on projects, stressing
proud of our food and our service. The students
OPEN DOORS, OPEN MINDS
T
he “open door policy” shouldn’t be considered a cliché, but a respected practice. In the past, young chefs were expected to absorb the brilliance of their culinary masters in appreciative silence without complaint. Very likely, any novice bold enough to voice a concern would
have received a stock answer as a suggested solution: “If you don’t like it, go work somewhere else.” Well, I’ve visited and cooked in a lot of kitchens. Not one was quiet. There’s no place for silence in our kitchens. Employees must be allowed to voice their concerns and find you willing to listen and eager to help. Most of the time, a frustrated employee is one who started out with a very simple issue, but never got the opportunity to express his or her feelings. Allowing employees to vent their frustrations (at the appropriate time and in a constructive manner), coach them on finding a solution and help them put that solution into action. Allowing the employee to be heard and take part in the resolution process can help affirm their sense of participation and “ownership” in the operation of the kitchen.
Courtney Bryant hands out treats at the Big Event kick-off party with a big smile.
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Marc Cruz Senior Executive Chef
What a Wonderful Semester it’s been and the fun is just beginning. April truly is my favorite month for Catering and the University Club. It is full of celebrating success – awards, retirement and graduation. Why not celebrate ours? We have held over 700 events with over 62,00 guests, been told we were the best they’ve seen nationwide and countless emails of friendly and fantastic customer service; this
FOCUS ON SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE FROM KAREN THOMAS / Director of Quality Assurance and Safety This month, I would like us all to take a moment to STOP, THINK, and ACT. This is the core root of our associate and manager safety training. Seems these days everyone is in a hurry and we need to slow down. Two of our associates this month were involved in work related accidents. These could have
is all thanks to each and every team member working
been avoided if we had just Stopped, Thought,
hard and being passionate about what you do. One of
continue working. Do you know who your Safety
and then Acted. Thankfully all were able to Champions are in your unit? Have they been
my favorite quotes seems only fitting at this point in Amber Buschi flashes a smile while serving at the Staff Appreciation picnic.
the semester “Passion and teamwork can turn a bunch of ordinary folks into an unbeatable, winning team –
To All of Our Hard-working Chartwells Employees, What a great time it is right now in College
freshman completing their first year away from
Station! The trees are coming out, the grass
home to the faculty and staff with decades of
is green and the wildflowers are bursting with
service. The extra effort, smiles and tender mer-
color.
The A&M campus is buzzing with
cies I have seen by our associates have not gone
thoughts of finals, graduation and new careers.
unnoticed by our guests. You have played an
I’m very pleased (and proud) to see the impact
important role in their success at Texas A&M.
Chartwells has had on our guests, from the
The semester is quickly drawing to a close but
introduced to you, through a weekly training, or maybe a pre-shift meeting? If not, I suggest you get to know them as they are there to help YOU, keep the work place safe. That’s right it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure every day that we all use safe work practices. I thought we all could be reminded of the Golden Rules Of Safety and help each other.
THE GOLDEN RULES OF SAFETY LIFTING Never lift more than you can comfortably handle, ask for assistance
SHOES Slip resistant shoes ARE MANDATORY
CUTTING Cut resistant gloves ARE MANDATORY
CLEANING Clean up spills and hazards immediately, use the wet floor signs
HEAT Use only oven mitts to grasp hot items, not towels or other articles
GEAR Wearing protective equipment is required around all chemicals, equipment or hazards Remember it is up to each of us to make our Team members gather to celebrate a Heart Healthy meal at Sbisa.
work place safe and accident-free.
@aggiedining dineoncampus.com/tamu 979.845.0152
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#YesYouCran,
Cranberries are a versatile fruit that offer big health benefits in a little package, offering unique polyphenols not commonly found in other fruits. A serving of fresh cranberries is a good source of vitamin
HIGHLIGHTS: BE A STAR WINNERS:
Alejandra and Cody were selected for the
C and fiber; provides antioxidant polyphenols; and contains only 1 mg of sodium. Cranberries are easy
Be a Star Award. Be sure to congratulate
and convenient to use in any form, making them a perfect fit for sweet and savory meals and recipes.
them and summer is right around the cor-
Cranberries at breakfast? Yes, you cran! Add frozen cranberries to smoothies or top yogurt, oatmeal or
ner! pg. 1
cereal with dried cranberries. Spread cranberry sauce on top of pancakes or waffles for a fruity alternative to butter or syrup. Bake fresh or frozen cranberries into muffins and breads. Cranberries as a side? Yes, you cran! Add frozen cranberries to sauces, relishes, chutneys or applesauce. Cranberries for dessert?
SMILES AND OPEN DOORS:
Although summer is close and the semester is coming to an end, keep up the hard
Yes, you cran! Bake fresh, frozen or dried cranberries into cakes or cookies. Use fresh or frozen
work and the outstanding customer ser-
cranberries on their own or paired with apples or pears in a fruit tart. To keep
vice. pg. 2
the focus on cranberries, select recipes that provide at least 2 tbsp dry or ¼ cup fresh, frozen or canned per serving in the final recipe.
Chanika Moses
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Try to always stay safe while at work, and be sure to read and abide by the golden rules of safety. pg. 3
Registered Dietitian
CRANBERRY CONTEST
If you are looking for a fun way to try and win some extra cash and get healthy,
MENU MADNESS
enter this fun super-food contest! pg. 4
After four intense rounds held over one forceful
CHARTWELLS THE CHAMPIONS
month Food Management’s 2016 Menu Madness
Chartwells Dining Team won the Food
College Food Bracket has come to close and
Managment Menu Madness competition.
Chartwells at Texas A&M cannot be happier to
Great job team! pg. 4
be crowned the winner! Many thanks to all who helped make the Aggie Dining Team succesful! The Aggie Chicken Burrito, the winning menu item, is stuffed with slow-roasted chicken that’s been seasoned with chipotle, black beans, cilantro-lime rice, zesty salsa and guacamole. If it sounds delicious, its because it is, and was definitely worthy of this honor. With over 728,000 votes
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cast over the course of the contest, and TAMU receiving 56%, 65%, 55%, and an overwhelming 99% in it’s respective rounds this truly was a great show of commitment and spirit by all!
Harrison C. Davies Marketing Manager