University of Connecticut-

Week five held many exciting adventures! On Monday, we travelled to Foxwoods casino. Foxwoods is one of the two large casinos in the area. It houses several restaurants, in addition to catering for events of up to 2400 people!! The food production areas were like nothing I had previously imagined. Thousands and thousands of sheet pans and hundreds of mixers occupied the walls in the maze-like, multi-floored, and unbelievably gigantic kitchens. Our tour-guide, assistant executive chef Mark Genereux, whisked us through food preparation areas like a butcher room, a soup room, and even a freezer deemed the "frozen tundra," where it snows in June. Along the way, we were introduced to many key employees who keep the operation running. At times I got the sensation that I was in beehive with people, or "bees," bustling from room to room on a mission. Working in a casino would be an extremely fast-paced, and at times stressful job. However, Mark seemed to juggle his duties with the focus and dedication of an expert.

Rachael, Mark Genereux, Taylor

After leaving Foxwoods, we traveled to UConn's Avery Point campus. The Avery Point campus is best known for its Oceanography major, which is no wonder given its location. Right on the ocean, Avery Point overlooks a myriad of lighthouses, sailboats and beaches. Its uncanny beauty was like nothing Rachael or I had ever witnessed, especially on a college campus. Larry Rayment, Area Manager at the Avery Point campus, showed us around his Avery Point dining

Branford House Mansion

location, appropriately named Salty Paws, after the UConn Husky. After seeing this impressive dining spot, we were given a tour of the campus. First we walked up to the Branford House Mansion. This mansion was constructed by Morton Freeman Plant at the cost of 3 million dollars in 1903! After Mr. Plant's death, the mansion was donated to the State of Connecticut, and is currently used as venue for events, like weddings and high-end dinner parties.