Teresa Alvarado, cashier

Harris Dining Hall-Texas State University/Chartwells

Nominator: Whitney Villarreal, marketing director, Chartwells-Texas State Dining

“Teresa Alvarado—more commonly known by her guests as Terri—is a cashier at Harris Dining Hall, located at Texas State University, and has worked for Chartwells at Texas State for over 14 years. Over the years, she’s welcomed countless students, faculty and staff, some of whom she made such a meaningful impact on that they even brought their families and kids in to meet her. At one time, the ROTC on campus even presented a Token of Service to Terri for making them feel at home in Harris Dining Hall every morning. Of the many varieties of foods served out of Harris Dining Hall, her favorite is the hand-battered country fried chicken. However, she admitted that as much as she enjoys the fabulous food in the dining hall, it's her students she loves the most and keeps her coming back every day, even during the COVID 19 pandemic's peak.

Teresa Alvarado is a true Chartwells Hero! When students come into our dining hall, they can expect Terri to be there waiting for them with a genuine smile on her face, a sincerity even a face mask can't shield! She knows everything from their names to whether they are coffee lovers or juice drinkers. Not only is Terri a joy to have in the building, but she is also an extremely hard worker. She helps every morning by making fresh waffle mixes, displaying fresh donuts from our bakery, filling up cereal dispensers, constantly keeping the dining hall clean, and always offering a cheery welcome for all of her guests.”

Estella Apolinar, administrative assistant

Marketplace, Chartwells Higher Ed

Nominator: Elizabeth Smith, director, Chartwells Higher Ed

“Stella has adapted over the last year with gaining a new manager and chef. She has taken over the administrative role and excels every day! When she has completed her work, you can find her on the line with a smile serving our Jaguar community.”

Tracy Bernal, food service lead worker

UTSA/Aramark

Nominator: Tomas Gonzalez, food retail manager, Aramark

“Tracy has done a phenomenal job keeping our convenience locations stocked with enough snack and refrigerated items to keep students fed. Even though we have had major supply issues, she has thought beyond the box to keep places stocked with minimal help due to the labor shortage. She is an all-star!”

Emily Bond, resident dining cook

University of Mary Washington/Sodexo

Nominator: Rose Benedict, marketing specialist, Sodexo

“Emily is one of the primary cooks for our resident dining program, and she is quick, efficient and very skilled! She stays on top of everything, anticipating the needs of the various points of service, and ensuring that everyone has everything they need, from the beginning to the end of service. She’s very supportive of all her co-workers, hopping on any station whenever they need help. She’s especially good at preparing dishes for our special dining events, making sure they properly reflect the theme or ethnic culture of the event.”

Diane Bonner, lead foodservice worker

Fresh Food Company, Aramark

Nominator: Shirley Miles, director of food service, Aramark

“Diane has been on campus for 25 years and she makes the best cinnamon rolls on campus. She knows some of her guests by name. Diane is known on campus for her delicious fried chicken every Thursday. Diane worked through COVID-19 and never missed a day of work. She loves interacting with the students. What makes her special is the way she treats the guests when they enter the dining hall, just like family away from home, she says.”

Samantha Brundies, barista

Dave's Coffee Corner, Palmer College

Nominator: Suzette Jacques, retail brand location manager, Palmer College

“Samantha always goes above and beyond. She is a full-time barista and also assists with kitchen needs. Sammy works efficiently and is a real team leader. She jumps in without question! Samantha greets every customer with a friendly smile and uses WEST concepts on every encounter. Many come to see Sammy and order a cup of coffee while they are there. She is such a pleasure to work with!”

Ronnie Cahoon, pre/banquet cook

SUNY Plattsburgh/Chartwells Higher Ed

Nominator: Christopher Mihalyi, resident district manager, Chartwells Higher Ed

“No matter the size of the job, Ronnie is always the first to volunteer. From doing copious amounts of dishes to ensuring our operation is clean and organized, Ronnie goes above and beyond in everything that he does. While it is not the most sought-after part of foodservice, Ronnie rises above his job title of steward every single day, every single shift. The important daily tasks that Ronnie completes have a huge positive impact on our business and guest experience. The utility steward is the ultimate ‘behind the scenes’ factor of success. A successful person in this role takes pride in their job and is always there when you need them—Ronnie is all of this and more. Ronnie has been a staple of our team for 31 years! In all that time his positive attitude and willingness to do whatever is needed to provide an exceptional experience for our students has made him invaluable.”

Deb Cogswell, cook

Colgate University/Chartwells, N.Y.

Nominator: Don Stanwick, resident district manager, Chartwells

“Throughout the year, Deb constantly showed up to work with a smile on her face and a will-do attitude. She would help out at any location and provide support to ensure that every student, no matter the location, had food and was taken care of.”

Bufford Gibson, cook/pizza cook

Jasper Kane Café, New York University/Chartwells Higher Ed

Nominator: Joseph Vaina, senior director, Compass Group North America

“This hero is extremely professional, respectful, attentive, friendly and compassionate, and excels in delivering hospitality excellence and quality food. He is always aware of the look of his station by utilizing height, color and dimension in his presentation. He always goes the extra mile for not only our guests but also his coworkers, and always leads by example.”

Erica Glenn, marketing coordinator

Sodexo/Loyola Dining

Nominator: Charles Casrill, general manager, Sodexo-Loyola New Orleans

“Working through the ever-changing New Orleans environment of hurricanes, COVID, tornados and employee shortages, she has been a constant shot of energy to our team. Always going out of her way to help a fellow employee in need, to say hello, to be a kind listening ear, or just rolling up her sleeves and working hard to get the job done, she is always there with a smile and positive attitude. Erica goes well beyond what her position asks for. She has taken ownership over the programs we run in our dining hall to be more student inclusive and exciting. Open mic nights, easter egg hunts, shopping sprees and student participation in events are just a few things she has taken hold of and surpassed expectations. Just check out her loyoladining Tik Tok account to see what she gets done! We would be lost without her!”

Anthony Kamna, materials handler (receiver)

Grant Hall Marketplace, West Point DCA Culinary Group

Nominator: Maria Hoagland, director-culinary group, West Point DCA Culinary Group

“Too often we name foodservice heroes as the front line to the guest. We forget the people behind the scenes that make it possible to give the best face-to-face service—the people who do the orders that ensure we carry the best product possible and always keep it stocked, the people who are always friendly and willing to lend a hand that keeps the front of house people happy and freed up to do the best job. Our nomination is Anthony Kamna, our receiver and materials handler. Anthony is a ray of sunshine daily and has proven he would do anything to accomplish the common goal of A+ service. Anthony has made connections in our company that come in handy in a pinch. He lends a hand with all things and stocks a well-organized back of house. Anthony provides the answer before the question is asked and, with critical thinking, Anthony has been able to avoid problems before they arise. He is a keystone employee, and we as a whole would be at a deficit without him.”

Esmeralda Marrow, cashier/foodservice worker

Commons Dining Hall@TXST/Chartwells

Nominator: Mukarram Taalib-Din Muhammad, associate director, Chartwells Higher Ed

“Esmeralda started working with us earlier in the semester and ever since then she has hit the ground running. The cashier station here at Commons Dining Hall is the first that guests see as they open the doors to come eat. She is always looking for ways to upsell items and promote a positive work environment. Since day one, Esmeralda was eager to learn guest names and has a great memory of what the guests have shared with her. Even when she is not on schedule to work, guests ask about her. Having an inviting and cheerful personality really brings an amazing dynamic to the dining hall. Esmeralda continues to show why she is a food service hero daily.”

Carmella Pierce, foodservice worker

University of Delaware Dining Services/Aramark

Nominator: Shaady Ghadessy, service excellence director, Aramark

“Carmella Pierce has been with University of Delaware for seven years. Carmella works in the Russell Dining Hall and is a foodservice hero because of the lasting impact she has on students, day in and day out. In fact, she is the most mentioned associate in our Voice of the Consumer feedback survey. In this survey, students and guests are asked, ‘Is there a specific individual that you would like to acknowledge today for his/her service?’ and over the last two years, Carmella’s name has been referenced and mentioned more than any other associates—over 350 times students have written in Carmella’s name to the survey with feedback like…

• ‘I wasn’t having the best day, and Carmella really brightened it up!’

• ‘Carmella was very sweet and welcoming at Russell Dining. She made my day coming up to me and made me feel safe’

• ‘Yes! I really enjoyed talking to Carmella 10! Loved her she was so welcoming and made me feel at home!’

Carmella is genuine, hospitable and takes her role seriously in crafting memorable dining experiences for the UD community. With every student engagement, every hello and goodbye, she’s impacting their experience in a positive and memorable way, making her most deserving of a Foodservice Hero award.”

Fernando Roqueni, food service employee

Arizona State University/Aramark

Nominator: Fernando Figueroa, director of operations safety and risk solutions, Aramark

“I wanted to send a quick note about a frontline employee named Fernando Roqueni from Arizona State University. Fernando saw a student trying to swallow something and was having difficulty swallowing. Fernando came from around his workstation and asked the student if they are they ok. The student immediately shook her head ‘no’. Fernando grabbed the student around the waist and performed the Heimlich maneuver, which caused the student to expel a strawberry from their mouth. Unfortunately, the team was unable to get the student’s name before she left. This is a great example of Fernando living by Aramark’s Safe Principles, particularly Do the Right Thing.”

Sharon Shanks, cashier/food service worker

Sodexo/Eureka College

Nominator: Douglas Simmonds, general manager, Sodexo

“43 years of dedicated service providing food for our college students and community. Well known and loved by all. Everything she does on a daily basis is to provide love and nutrition to all. Sharon—Sue as she is known—is the first person that any student will encounter when coming to the Commons for meals. Always with a smile on her face and a kind word. To Sue, it's all about the love of the kids (students). She will assist any of her colleagues to make sure her kids get what they are supposed to have. Still to this day, we have ex-students who will drop in just to see her due to the kindness she had shown them over the course of their tenure at the college. A true Ambassador for Sodexo.”

Joye Thomas, unit clerical

University of Mary Washington/Sodexo

Nominator: Rose Benedict, marketing specialist, Sodexo

“Joye serves on Fredericksburg’s Citizen Advisory Panel, where she is an advisor to the police and a liaison for the community. She took on this role because she wants to make a real difference in the world. After the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020, it became clear to her that change was needed in our community policing practices. She has been part of a taskforce that re-wrote the city police department’s directives on various issues, including the use of force. Joye was also elected by the city council and mayor of Fredericksburg to serve as a commissioner on the Fredericksburg Arts Commission, which is responsible for a multitude of arts initiatives. It awards grants to local artist and arts organizations, runs a sculpture program, coordinates First Friday celebrations and more!”

Ricardo (Ricky) Torregano, catering staff

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Nominator: Brian Bowser, resident district manager, Sodexo Campus

“For 45 years, Ricardo (Rickey) Torregano has served the communities of both Loyola University New Orleans and now the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A pillar of two incredible institutions, Rickey has ingrained our campus services with his amazing focus on customer care and engagement. Rickey has served in multiple roles throughout the pandemic, operating in catering capacities, retail, resident dining and even a mobile food truck! Known by administration and the student body alike, Rickey's warmth and care is a highlight to every event at UAB, and for that we nominate him as our unsung hero for the Blazer Catering Co.”

Linda Van Vorhis, foodservice worker

Colgate University/Chartwells

Nominator: Don Stanwick, resident district manager, Chartwells

“Linda, despite being deaf, stood out on a daily basis. She would work the deli when we were short staffed, as well as helping out with other stations throughout the day. She put the students first and delivered an exceptional experience.”

Kathy Wellman, cook

Colgate University/Chartwells

Nominator: Don Stanwick, resident district manager, Chartwells

“Kathy came in every day and despite our being short staffed on a daily basis, produced over 600 meals of the highest quality each day without any additional support. She truly is an unsung hero.”

Kelly Whitehair, admin dietitian & instructor

Kansas State University

Nominator: Shawn Bucher, PhD graduate student, Kansas State University

“Always goes above and beyond. Works many extra hours to help students. Fulfills her role, but also is the first to volunteer to take on new projects and responsibilities. Volunteers on multiple boards of community organizations on top of this. Created and oversees the operations of an organization that delivers weekly meals to students who are food insecure. Over 500 dinner and breakfast meals a week! When a company backs out or a someone cannot supply food for that week, she will cook and box meals herself.”

Terry Williams, driver

Metz Culinary at Florida A&M University

Nominator: Jeffrey Kwolek, general manager, Metz Culinary at FAMU

“Terry has been delivering quarantine meals to students for the past 12 months, in addition to his normal driver duties. Terry works weekends, nights and holidays to ensure that students are getting the nourishment they need to continue their recovery and studies.”