Washington and Lee University will honor its talented and hard-working Dining Services staff on Thursday, Sept. 25, by celebrating National Food Service Workers Day, a national initiative born nearly a decade ago to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the food service workers who create meaningful dining experiences every day.

“The staff at the Marketplace works very hard seven days a week to provide healthy and nutritious meals for the students,” said Mike O’Byrne, Marketplace executive chef. “We thought it would be nice to take a day to honor this contribution to the students and their college experience. We, and I especially, are truly grateful to have such a talented and professional staff, and this is just a small measure to say thank you for their dedication to the campus community.”

W&L will celebrate its accomplished Dining Services staff through a special lunch menu featuring dishes inspired by team members’ cherished family recipes. After inviting dining staff to share their favorite home recipes, the culinary team selected six dishes from the diverse submissions, choosing recipes that complemented each other while being suitable for large-scale preparation. The staff members whose recipes were chosen will be honored alongside their featured dishes, with photos and personal stories about each menu item displayed throughout the service lines. Lunch will be served from 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

“Last year was the first year that we did this, and some of the staff were a little nervous about having their dishes and pictures presented,” O’Byrne said. “With the warm reception from the students, faculty and staff, it really turned into a very positive experience for us. Many of the staff that participated submitted dishes again this year because of how much they enjoyed the event.”

Among the featured selections this fall is a vegan chorizo stuffed pepper dish submitted by lead cook Romero Dunn. A three-year staff veteran, Dunn said the idea for his featured dish came to mind while casually discussing the event with O’Byrne.

“I was thinking of how to make a vegan option for a longtime classic,” said Dunn. “Growing up, I always appreciated how my mother could make a satisfying meal with a few simple ingredients.”

Dunn has a family history with W&L’s Dining Services, noting that several relatives served on the culinary team dating back to when meal service was handled in Evans Dining Hall.

“My grandfather was the chef, and it feels good to follow in his footsteps,” reminisced Dunn, who expressed gratitude for the yearly event honoring the contributions of food service workers.

“National Food Service Workers Day recognizes the people and hard work that goes into preparing meals for a university,” he said. “Preparing meals for the university takes pride and teamwork, and the recognition of this event shows an appreciation for cooks such as myself, who have chosen this career.”

Another entrée selected was Brenna Patterson’s creamy Tuscan chicken recipe. Patterson, a three-year employee and member of the front of house team at the Marketplace, selected her dish because it is a favorite among her two children, who regularly help her prepare the dish in their home. Patterson shared her recipe for anyone who wishes to add it to their regular home meal rotation.

Not to be outdone, several side dishes will also be featured on the menu, including mashed parsnips and carrots, a favorite family recipe proposed by Eithne Power-Mulligan, a cook with Dining Services since 2023.

“I selected mashed parsnips and carrots because, while most people eat other one or the other, a lot of my friends had not had both combined,” she said. “The nutty, earthy flavor of the parsnip combined with the sweetness of the carrots is a great balance of rustic root vegetables and reminds me of my mam and growing up in Ireland. A lot of our food was farm to table and is very filling and nutritious.”

Power-Mulligan added that sharing the dish brings her joy, as does the thought of being recognized for her efforts in feeding the university community.

“I really like the fact that there is a National Food Service Workers Day,” she said. “Since coming to work at W&L, I have learned how much effort and time goes into the all the different facets and the preparation of the menu items offered. It’s so nice to be appreciated. I love everything about working here. The Marketplace team are a great group of people that offer and give encouragement, support, knowledge and the opportunity for me to grow as an individual.”

W&L’s Dining Services program employs nearly 250 staff members and 74 student workers across its eight campus venues. The team was recently cited among the nation’s best for employee development, receiving the Employee Development Program of the Year Award from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS).

Last year, the Dining Services operation served just shy of one million meals (966,550) through its venues and catering services.

National Food Service Workers Day Lunch Menu

Creamy Tuscan Chicken – Brenna Patterson (food service worker)
Arroz Con Pollo Casserole – Brooklyn Hatcher (dining shift supervisor)
Vegan Chorizo Stuffed Pepper – Romero Dunn (lead cook)
Mashed Parsnips and Carrots – Eithne Powers-Mulligan (cook)
Squash and Onions – Chris Vess (food service worker)
Braised Cabbage with Sausage and Tomatoes – Tasha Johnson (cook)