Introduction

For the first time ever, the complete, unedited interview with Doug Stenfeldt, which was censored by those devoid of a sense of a humor at The Butler Collegian.  The dorks running DawgNet, the online version, took down the entire issue that the edited version of this article ran in.  Good riddance.

Sitting down with Doug Stenfeldt, Atherton Dining Hall’s Food Service Director

By Nicholas Adamski
And
Kenneth DeGraff

The Collegian: Doug, what’s your hometown?
Doug Stenfeldt: Aledo, IL

TC: How long have you been an Aramark employee?
DS: I’ve worked in some capacity at Aramark for 3 years plus my time as a student employee.  I’ve been at 5 college campuses.

TC: Now, where do you eat your meals here at Butler?
DS: I eat at all three places, but I’m the Food Services Director at Atherton’s dining hall, so I spend most of my time there.

TC: Tell me, what meal plan are you on?
DS: (Laughs) I’m not on one, it’s all taken care of.

TC: What is your favorite Aramark dish?
DS: I like a lot of them, but I guess the Chicken Curry

TC: Do you watch the Food Channel at home?
DS: Yes, actually, I do.

TC: Do you ever watch infomercials for culinary devices and have you ever considered purchasing one for the cafeterias here at Butler?
DS: I’m really a big fan of the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine.  I have the standard at home, but I really like the new Deluxe 2000 for the digital readout.  I’m also thinking about getting the Juiceman juicer.

TC: Gotta love the Juiceman, how about that guy’s eyebrows?
DS: Um, yeah.

TC: Anyway, out of these choices, who’s the best TV chef: Julia Child, The Cajun Chef, Graham Kerr, or The Frugal Gourmet?
DS: I really don’t have a favorite, I’ll watch them all depending on the dish.  It’s all about what they’re cooking.

TC: Let’s ask some serious questions now.  Why is there no meal exchange during lunch hours?
DS: Butler makes these kind of decisions on a year to year basis.  We don’t really have any control over that.

TC: Why is there such a large jump from the 15 to the 21 meal, meal plans, why not a middle ground, i.e. 18 meals?
DS: Well, there’s really not a huge difference in price; it’s all pretty standard at every college.

TC: Which of these is your favorite food related song: Raffi- “Apples and Bananas,” Jimmy Buffet-“Cheeseburger in Paradise,” Presidents of the United States of America-“Peaches,” or Paul McCartney- “Flaming Pie?”
DS: The Buffet one.  I guess I’m just a Parrothead.

TC: Honestly, is every comment card important to you or do you throw some away?
DS: Each card is read, and then filed according to topic.  If there are several cards on the same topic, only one goes up on the board.

TC: What actually pushes up the plates in the “plate holes” on the counter? DS: There are about 8 to 10 springs that actually pull the plates up.

TC: Why are the deserts always the best items served?
DS: We have a new baker this year; she’s very experienced. She worked at Marian College for 6 years.  We have a new salad lady too.

TC:  Butter or Margarine?
DS: Both.

TC: Pick one.  This is a personal preference question.
DS: Butter, I’m not into health food.

TC: What is the worst crisis that you have averted in one of the Butler dining halls?
DS: Well, there’s not been a major problem here.  The power went out once at Monmouth, where I was working at the time.  The food was going to get bad, so we decided to give it all out to nearby residents from the back of a truck.

TC: Just like Communist Russia?
DS: Yeah, I guess so.

TC: What’s the deal with the seating arrangement in Atherton?
DS: We’re trying to rework it.  There’s seating for 350 yet 400 to 500 eat lunch a day.

TC: What would you say is the happiest vegetable in the Aramark family? DS: I’m really not into vegetables, but what do you mean by “happy?”

TC: Happiness is something only you can answer.  If you don’t like vegetables, how about the happiest meat?
DS: I’ve always liked corned beef.

TC: Do you save the most humorous comment cards?
DS: I write the funniest comments down in my planner. One of my favorites is, “Is the salad oil low fat?” and this girl was actually serious.

TC: Must be food service humor.  By the way, shouldn’t you be wearing a hairnet?
DS: Only food service employees wear the hairnets.

TC: Is there a comment card handbook that helps you deal with the rowdy student observations?
DS: There’s not a book, but after a while you get conditioned.  I always read answer every card, I try to do it when I’m in a good mood.

TC: How are you on alternative meats?
DS: I’ve looked into it before, it’s something I’d be interested in trying.

TC: Ostrich?
DS: Ostrich is very expensive.

TC: Pig Roast, your thoughts?
DS: That’d be interesting, it all depends on what the students want.  No Aramark account is the same; we have to try to cater to all different tastes here at Butler.

TC: I hear they’re doing wonderful things with gruel, have you ever considered serving it at Butler?
DS: I’m not sure exactly what that is, but I’ll check my boss what it is, and see if we can’t get that on the menu for you.

TC: Well, actually, we were just, well, okay.  So, what exciting plans do you have for the future of the Aramark Corporation here at Butler?
DS: My door is always open.  I write the menu, but its up to the students to decide what’s on it.