University of Kansas
Week 2
This week at KU, the internship focused on the retail aspects of the KU dining operations and project planning.
Monday morning stared early working with Chris Johntson manger
of seven Hawk Food Shop satellite operations.
These sites feature fresh fare items including; fresh-made sandwiches,
salads and healthy grab and go snacks which are the perfect solution to hunger
cravings between classes. The time spent
with Chris provided an in-depth understanding of the daily operational and
personal challenges that encompasses such a facility. This opportunity also provides an in site of
how making the change from Fresh Fare to the Tempo line can have its own set of
challenges.
Tuesday morning was spent with Keith Lake, manager of the Market,
learning about purchasing and ordering for a facility with a wide variety of
needs. The Market offers many dining
concepts that are exclusive to KU and boasts a wide array of options with over
eight distinct cuisines; World Kitchen, Boulevard Grill, Serrano’s, Brellas,
Garden Gourmet, Pizza Hut, Sushi with Gusto, and Sweet BabyJay’s. Congratulations to The Market, winner of the 2014 NACUFS Loyal
E. Horton Award for Retail Sales - Multiple 
Later
that day, we both spent the evening with Cynthia Faircloth at the Burge Union
in the Crimson Café learning about their involvement with the KU athletes,
training tables, and the new DeBruce Center.
We were able to experience first hand how their efforts directly influence the student athletes. 
Kansas Athletics is
committed to developing the all around athlete. One key component to this
development is building proper performance nutrition habits. The Sports
Medicine Department at the University of Kansas believes nutrition plays an integral
role in helping our student athletes realize their true potential on the field
of play and in the classroom. I was so pleased that Aaron Carbuhn, KU sport
nutritionist was able to sit down and have a Q&A session with us. Its
amazing see how dedicated he is to the overall health of KU athletes. 
KU
Dining has their very own award winning full service restaurant Impromptu Café.
I had the pleasure of spending Wednesday morning with Kim Nixon, who elaborated
on the importance of real customer service. Not only does Impromptu have a amazing staff,
but their food was out of this world. I enjoyed the Mediterranean Burger, which
is a crisp quinoa and sweet potato burger. I can’t wait till I get to go back.
Thursday
morning entailed of hanging out at the heart of KU’s campus in The Underground
with John Whittington. This retail facility is a beast all in its own housing
six food concepts; Chick-fil-a, Brellas, Garden Gourmet, Café Spice, Pizza Hut,
Sushi with Gusto, and Fresh Fare. This
operation has the challenge of hosting three franchises which each have their
own set of procedures and policy.
Later
that day, Karen Cross discussed the magic that happens behind the sense
involving dining meal plans and access. Someone has to have all the answer or
at least know how to get the answers. For KU dining Karen is the woman with the
answers.
Friday morning, David Weakley and I took a field trip to Pendleton's Country Market to discuss possible decorations for the dining hall's Earth Day event, which will take place April 22, 2015. In honor of Earth Day the dining halls will be serving a menu created from item either local produced or processed within a 250 mile radius.
Of course, I found a planted that needed to come home with me. :) This is my new sensitive plant.
During this week there has been a lot of new development with all the projects in hand. I will keep you posted as the details unfold. Until next week, be safe!
Tonya
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